分類: 综合

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.

The Washington Wizards are counting on Trae Young to help lead them through their painfully long rebuild, but even before they acquired him in a trade last January, the four-time All-Star point guard breathed new life into the Atlanta Hawks. Although the union ultimately worked its way out and both sides agreed it was time to part ways, Young was responsible for many exciting moments at State Farm Arena. He formally received the flowers on Tuesday night.

Before facing the Wizards, the Hawks played a nice tribute video to the 2021-22 All-NBA Third-Team selection, which included some of his greatest shots, nutmegging Kevin Durant in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game and, of course, his famous bow at Madison Square Garden after eliminating the New York Knicks in the playoffs. The fans filled the building with applause and gratitude. Young reciprocated the love, but she still needed some time to get over her feelings after returning home.

He moved to the X following Washington’s 119–98 loss. “Still gathering my thoughts,” posted the No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. “My love for Atlanta is eternal.”

Young is still sidelined with an MCL sprain and quadriceps injury, so he got a chance to enjoy the crowd’s applause throughout the evening. The 2024-25 assists champion is dedicated to helping the Wizards compete in the East moving forward, but he will always be tied to ATL.

Trae Young led the team to an incredible trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2022, a feat the Hawks have achieved only once since moving to Atlanta in 1968. He is also the all-time franchise leader in 3-pointers (1,295) and assists (4,837). City is optimistic for this new era of Hoops, but it is clearly grateful for the heavy workload that the No. 3 took on during his eight years with the team.

And he clearly feels the same way. After this moment of closure, both sides will now turn the page on what they hope will be a promising chapter in their respective NBA journeys.

The battle between the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic at Crypto.com Arena has a tendency to go straight down to the wire, and their contest on Tuesday night was no different. However, the Magic prevailed in the end – Wendell Carter Jr.’s putback layup proved to be the difference in a 110–109 defeat.

It looked like the Lakers had the momentum in the fourth, but their defense failed to stop them when they needed to. They took a 109–108 lead after a lazy defensive possession by the Magic that gave LeBron James room for the go-ahead wide-open dunk, but they could not complete the defensive stop as Orlando regained possession after a midrange miss from Paolo Banchero, leading to Carter’s game-winner.

The Lakers still had a chance to win, but Luka Doncic missed open three-point attempts twice to win the game, causing James to take a difficult turnaround shot for the game-winning attempt, which he missed.

After the game, head coach JJ Redick summed up The Lakers fell to 34–23 on the season.

“We’re a work in progress,” Redick said in his postgame presser via @ohnohedidnt24 on X (formerly Twitter).

JJ Redick: “We’re a work in progress” pic.twitter.com/Vjd9KZoIIq

– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) 25 February 2026

The Lakers’ defense needs a lot of work

The Lakers’ defense was very good in the final few months of the 2024-25 season, but it hasn’t quite clicked in this current campaign. DeAndre Ayton suffers from letdowns, Doncic and Austin Reaves have their shortcomings on that end of the field, James is aging, and the team doesn’t yet have the personnel to build a strong defensive infrastructure.

They currently rank 24th in the NBA in defensive rating, allowing 116.6 points per 100 possessions. It may take the Lakers another year or two before they can maximize the roster around Doncic.

ATLANTA – In 24 minutes of playing time, everyone was reminded of what Jonathan Kuminga can do when he gets the opportunity to play.

Athleticism. Driving on slopes. Selflessness.

Forget everything that happened in the last months after the Golden State Warriors made the trade. Kuminga always had the skills to make an impact in wins, but at some points he was not given much of a chance to do so. With the Hawks, he will be able to do that, and he showed it in his debut against the Washington Wizards.

His first shot came in transition, when he sidestepped his defender and drove into the lane for a layup. His next production was a dunk in transition. From there, he got into a rhythm and started knocking down three-pointers over defenders.

Jonathan Kuminga’s first bucket as Hawk! pic.twitter.com/xY2hhDBrJ2

– Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) 25 February 2026

Kuminga finished the game with 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists. No Hawk debuted with 25+ points in less than 30 minutes.

“I got confidence from my teammates,” Kuminga told reporters after the game. “They told me not to worry about anything. Just go out there and be you. Everything will be OK. I had a lot of people in my ear telling me to go, be you, play basketball. The first two minutes I was just thinking about it, but after that, everything was good.”

Head coach Quin Snyder always talks about the fundamental things the Hawks need to do to win games. Pass the ball, defend and run. Kuminga surpassed all those standards in his debut.

Snyder said, “Things we talked about as a team were obviously a focal point. Playing with the pass, that’s what you’ve heard me say since October, and he really demonstrated it right away to the point where I told him it was OK to shoot, too. But he allowed himself to come into the game, how he connected with his teammates and let the game come to him. I think it shows a lot of maturity on his part and how he feels about the group.” Let’s do it.

His teammates were looking forward to playing with him for the last few days and he did not disappoint them. All four of his assists came in the first quarter, and there were a few chances when he could have taken an open shot, but instead, he sent the extra pass.

“Another guy that’s going to put pressure on the rim, put him in the paint,” Nickell Alexander-Walker said. “His willingness to pass and fit within the system. To have fun with everybody. He was always locked in and vocal throughout the game, so it was good for him to come out and do that.”

The noise that was around Kuminga easily shut down every rumor and every negative report about him in a single night. If there were a statue for smiling, Kuminga would lead the night in that category.

“For people who really know me, all my teeth are out. I’m smiling, I’m laughing all the time,” Kuminga said. “Since I’ve been here, just being with the guys, I’ve developed a bond with them. Good people, good team. We all want to win. Winning comes with joy, so as long as we’re all out there enjoying ourselves, it’ll help us win games.”

This was just the beginning, but it was a good start for Kuminga. For people to really move forward, they just need a change of scenery to become the best version of themselves. It seems like this is exactly what Kuminga needed, and he could be with a team that can help him get to where he wants to go in his career.

Kuminga isn’t going to score 27 points in 24 minutes every game. He won’t have 12 shot attempts. He knows this, but his entire focus is on winning.

“It doesn’t matter if I go out there and hit two shots. As long as it’s impacting us to win, that’s what really matters,” Kuminga said.

What has made the Boston Celtics such a strong team to face this season, despite the major roster overhaul last offseason with the absence of Jayson Tatum and the departures of Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, has been the team’s consistent next-man-up mentality.

Earlier in the season, it was Josh Minot who stood out as a multi-positional defensive pest for the Celtics. There was a time when Jordan Walsh was turning everyone’s heads. Hugo Gonzalez is a spark-plug who experienced one of the most memorable clutch moments of the season for Boston.

But now, a different unknown player is moving to the Celtics in the form of Baylor Sheuerman. Sheuerman is emerging as a key guy for Boston, especially with the way he helps the team control the glass. On Tuesday night, in a blowout 97–81 win over the Phoenix Suns on the road, Scheuerman recorded another double-double, an 11-point, 11-rebound effort.

The Celtics have been dominant on the glass over the past month and Sheyerman has been a big reason for that. In fact, he now has three career point-rebound double-doubles, and all three have come within the last three weeks, as reported by Celtics Stats on X (formerly Twitter).

It certainly seems like the Celtics are producing quality contributors on the factory line, which is how they’ve gotten so many contributions from unexpected sources.

celtics are rolling

The Celtics have won nine of their last 10 games, and they now have the third-best record in the NBA despite Tatum’s absence. The great play of Jaylen Brown as well as the consistency of Derrick White and Peyton Pritchard have played a huge role in this, but head coach Joe Mazzulla has managed to squeeze a lot out of a core that wasn’t very inspiring early in the season.

To make matters better for the Celtics, Tatum is close to returning, which should lift the team even further.

On Tuesday night, the Charlotte Hornets visited the Chicago Bulls and defeated them on their own homecourt by 32 points, 131-99. This marked Coby White’s return to the United Center for the first time as a member of the Hornets, after the Bulls dealt him away before the trade deadline for Collin Sexton and some second-round picks.

White made his debut for the Hornets on Tuesday night against a familiar foe and he scored 10 points on 4-9 shooting from the field against his former team. The Hornets were able to get him into action, which was important considering that the calf injury he was dealing with was serious enough to cost him a low second-round pick in a trade to the Bulls.

It was certainly an emotional night for White, considering he spent the first six and a half seasons of his career with the Bulls. Bulls fans also acknowledged his contributions to the team during his tenure in the Windy City and White appreciated the warm welcome He received.

“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 stay 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,” White said, via CHSN.

“It’s so humbling to know how many people you impact through this beautiful game we play.”

The support Coby White felt upon returning to Chicago tonight pic.twitter.com/WqZPPQyYXi

– Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) 25 February 2026

Coby White joins nascent Hornets core

The Bulls had their work cut out for them, paving the way for White to join the upstart Hornets. Given LaMelo Ball’s injury history, White could play a big role for one of the hottest teams in the league.

White is only 26 years old and could be one of the most explosive scorers in the association. He also studied in Chapel Hill, which means he’s already beloved in Charlotte.

chicago bulls lost their 10th consecutive game Charlotte Hornets 131-99 on Tuesday. They have not won a single game yet this month.

Nevertheless, Matas Buzelis led the way with a season-high 32 points. However, to hear him say this, he it doesn’t matter that much As a must-win game, according to Chicago Sports Network’s KC Johnson.

“I want to win games,” Bouzelis said. I’m working every day to try to win. And so does everyone else.” Additionally, Bouzelis came up with a team-high six rebounds as well as six 3-pointers.

As a result, the Bulls are now 24-35. On Thursday, they will conclude the month with a home game against the Portland Trail Blazers. On Tuesday, Buzzellis & Co. welcomed back my ex Coby White is playing his first game in Chicago since being traded. White finished the game with 10 points.

Bouzelis is averaging 15.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Recently, Buzzellis coming to grips With a completely new dynamic after the trade deadline. He saw his former teammates, White, Ayo Dosunmu, Nikola Vucevic and Kevin Huerter move on to other competitors. Thus, Chicago’s remaining key players join Buzellis, Josh Giddy and Jalen Smith.

Additionally, he is being tasked with carrying out more of the Bulls’ offense, especially since he is still adjusting. Bouzelis is in his second season with Chicago. He recently Competed in the NBA Rising Stars Game During All-Star Weekend. Furthermore, he has Went viral for his explosive dunks this seasonS.

However, this does not compensate for winning the game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers made a stir during trade season when they traded Darius Garland, an original member of the team’s core four, to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for James Harden. Harden is playing much more spectacularly than Garland this season, and he’s healthy, too. But an underappreciated part of bringing Harden in as a more consistent member of the starting lineup was unlocking the best from Jarrett Allen.

For almost his entire career, Harden has made life much better for his pick-and-roll partners. Clint Capela played his best basketball with Harden. Ivica Zubac did the same. And now, Allen is following suit. Since the Cavs brought The Beard in, Allen has averaged an impressive 20.4 points and 11.3 rebounds on 76.7 percent shooting from the field – numbers, suffice it to say, are absolutely insane.

The Cavs have been playing exceptional basketball lately, and Allen’s improved play as a result of Harden’s arrival is a big reason why. Cleveland sped up its competitive deadline by bringing in Harden, but this move seems smart given the early returns.

Allen had another double-double, 19 points and 10 rebounds in the Cavs’ 109-94 win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night.

James Harden makes life easy for the Cavs

If there’s one thing Harden has going for him, it’s that his track record of excellence in the regular season is nearly unmatched. He is a regular season winning machine, and the Cavs have been humming since they brought him in via trade.

Harden reduced the burden on offense on Donovan Mitchell. He should make life easier for Alan and Evan Mobley in terms of getting good looks. And he reduced the need for Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson to rely on more inconsistent players to try to partner with Mitchell in the backcourt.

If there was any hope that the understaffed, dysfunctional Golden State Warriors could regain some momentum after their disappointing win over the Denver Nuggets, it came crashing down in the bayou.

The Warriors lost badly to the New Orleans Pelicans, 113–109. Although the close score indicated a highly contested, competitive affair, it spoke more about the Dubs’ weak offensive performance in the first quarter, in which they made only 8 of 25 shots, which they ultimately could not overcome.

And while Moses Moody continued his consistent play with 24 points and five rebounds, and De’Anthony Melton exploded for 28 points in just 28 minutes, Pelicans star Zion Williamson proved unstoppable in the end with a team-high 26 points on 11 of 21 shooting. After the game, Steve Kerr evaluated the Dubs’ tremendous performance.

Kerr said, “I don’t know what ‘Down the Stretch’ got us. It was all 48 minutes.” “21 turnovers. We didn’t execute very well offensively. The spacing was bad. Transition, we had three potential layups in the first half. We didn’t run, we didn’t cut to the rim, we didn’t get to the corners. We just looked disjointed.”

The Warriors felt frustrated all night as bad basketball troubled them up and down the hardwood. Midway through the third quarter, the broadcast showed a heated exchange between Quinton Post and Brandin Podziemski as the two walked toward the bench, with Draymond Green having to step in between the two to stop things from escalating.

And while the Warriors had a chance to steal this game from the jaws of their poor play, unsurprisingly the aggression died down, and they couldn’t dig themselves out of the hole they dug for themselves.

Offense remains a problem without their stars

It’s no surprise that the Warriors’ offense has struggled with consistency lately. With Stephen Curry in a day-to-day funk due to his swollen runner’s knee, Jimmy Butler out for the season, and Kristaps Porzingis suffering from a nasty, undisclosed illness, Golden State lacks an on-ball creator or engine to center the offense.

Kerr has talked about the need for a “trigger” for the defense to struggle in the post, i.e., Curry’s snapping or Butler drawing double teams. But without him, they don’t have what it takes to lead a drought like the one they suffered against the Pelicans.

And sure, Melton can get penetration, and Moody can run around a screen off-ball, but in 48 minutes of play, they need more. What they did against Denver is certainly at the extreme end of what’s possible when everything is humming. But ultimately, an outing of sorts is required to keep everything running smoothly. That means no messy transitions, no missed opportunities.

For this, good movement of the ball and hitting open shots is required. And the Warriors didn’t do it in New Orleans.

“The game was perfect for us, we just couldn’t perform well enough,” Kerr said. “With the injuries we’ve had, we have to play well to win. And I don’t think we played well tonight.”

Resting Al Horford on the front end of the back-to-back certainly didn’t help, and they’ll bring him back against the Memphis Grizzlies. But help will not come soon. Curry’s re-evaluation won’t come until the end of the week, and knowing his tendency to lean conservative upon returns from injury, there will likely be a ramp-up process before he returns. Meanwhile, Porzingis may have the Warriors’ worst fear confirmed with this latest health scare.

The Dubs will look to bounce back with a game at Memphis in less than 24 hours.

Other notables

• To add insult to injury for the Dubs, Jonathan Kuminga looked quite comfortable in his Atlanta Hawks debut. 25 points, 7 rebounds on 9/12 FGs against the tanking Washington Wizards. It’s only one game, and against a bad team at that, but the Kuminga era in Atlanta is off to a good start.
• Porzingis did not make the trip south, ruling him out for Memphis. It is unknown what specifically caused his illness. He has a history of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which the Warriors were aware of when they traded for him, but the Warriors have not confirmed if this ongoing illness has anything to do with it. Kerr said the condition was so severe Sunday that Porzingis was unable to leave his hotel room.
• NBC Sports Bay Area has begun adding live graphics to its broadcasts. There are things like a gray circle hovering below who has the ball, names popping up whenever someone gets the ball, and a distance counter whenever someone shoots from deep. Looks like NBA 2K and it’s driving many viewers (including me) forward.

The Toronto Raptors suffered a disappointing 116-107 loss at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. What made this loss even more disappointing for the Raptors was that the Thunder were shorthanded; The defending champions were without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, but Toronto allowed Cason Wallace to score 27 points on 11-16 shooting from the field and 4-5 from beyond the arc.

Taken in isolation, this harm is not as worrisome. The Thunder have a deep team that remains dangerous despite the absence of SGA and J-Dub, and losing to the best team in the NBA is no shame. But a deeper look at the Raptors’ results reveals a very worrying trend that doesn’t bode well for their chances of making a deep playoff run.

As TSN’s Josh Levenberg reported, the Raptors are now 4-14 against NBA top-10 teams (in terms of win-loss record). Three of those wins came against the Cleveland Cavaliers before James Harden was brought in and rejuvenated the team, while the other win came against OKC in late January.

The Raptors have regularly struggled against the best teams in the NBA, but the old saying goes that to be the best, one has to beat the best. So far, Toronto isn’t passing that test.

The Raptors may just be a little short of being a legitimate contender

The Raptors may be struggling with the problem that their best shot-maker can get stuck against teams with elite defenses. Brandon Ingram has shown in the past that he can struggle when faced with defensive pressure, and Toronto’s other key players aren’t at a level where they can help compensate for each other’s weaknesses.

This doesn’t mean Toronto is a bad team; For some reason their record is a good 34-24. But the front office looking for stars on the trade market is making it known how they view this current squad.

same day chicago bulls welcomed back Coby White, they lost again. In front of the home crowd, the Bulls lost their 1st consecutive game to the Charlotte Hornets by 32 points, 131–99.

As a result, the bulls have Became the only winless team In the N.B.A., according to ESPN Insights. Additionally, Chicago has now lost seven consecutive home games. The Bulls are now 24-35.

This is the longest losing streak in franchise history at seven years. Matas Buzelis came in with a career-high 32 points, also hitting six 3-pointers. Additionally, he led the Bulls with six rebounds. Patrick Williams and Guershon Yabusele tied each other with 11 points. Meanwhile, Collin Sexton scored 10 points playing against his former team.

Josh Giddy finished with eight points of his own. Recently coming back from a hamstring injury. Isaac Okoro showed his consistency by scoring 7 points. Rob Dillingham led the team with five assists. White finished the game with 10 points in the Chicago comeback. During the first quarter, the bulls played a video tribute White is celebrating his time in Chicago.

The Bulls will face the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday in late February. If they had lost, they would have spent an entire month without winning a game. The last time Chicago won a game was on January 31 against the Miami Heat, 125–118. This was one of the last games in which White, Ayo Dosunmu, Nikola Vucevic and Kevin Huerter were present before being traded.

On Sunday, Chicago remains at home and begins March by playing against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled a lot on the defensive end this season, but from time to time they show flashes of greatness on that end of the floor. On Tuesday night, LeBron James once again showed that age is just a number, as he soared to the sky to deny an easy layup in transition from Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black.

The game began with a James turnover, as his pass to Austin Reaves was deflected by the Magic guard. Black then took the ball in transition where he is usually prolific, and it looked as if he only had Reeves to beat. Reaves did enough to distract Black, giving the Lakers star enough time to look behind and to the sky for an epic chase-down block. he is made His signature move.

Blocks were chased by LeBron James and Marcus Smart! pic.twitter.com/ZmYneUTgfg

– Italo Santana (@BulletClubIta) 25 February 2026

However, it was troublesome when the Magic had three players to the Lakers’ two – with Paolo Banchero rebounding Black’s blocked shot. But then the Lakers retreated to defend the fastbreak, and Marcus Smart made a timely attempt to deny the Magic a field goal by deflecting Banchero’s attempt.

The sad part was that the Lakers couldn’t take advantage of these incredible defensive plays, as James proceeded to turn the ball over again on the ensuing possession.

LeBron James sets the tone for Lakers vs. Magic

James came out of the gate facing the Magic on Tuesday night with a fire in his eyes; Currently, James has 12 points in 14 minutes of play, leading up to his epic block of Black early in the second quarter.

The Lakers star has been slowing down lately, but perhaps with the battle for position in the West being so heated he is speeding up again.

On Tuesday night, Jonathan Kuminga made his highly anticipated debut for the Atlanta Hawks after the Golden State Warriors decided to trade him along with Buddy Hield in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis. And as it (unfortunately) happened, the Hawks’ main man and starting power forward Jalen Johnson had to exit early with a hip injury – paving the way for Kuminga to defeat the Washington Wizards in his first game with his new team.

Kuminga, in just 24 minutes off the bench, scored 27 points on 9-12 shooting from the field, leading all players in scoring in the process. If Johnson were to miss time for the Hawks, Kuminga would be called upon to take on a larger scoring load, and based on early returns, he is capable of doing so for a team looking to establish itself as a playoff team.

As a result of Kuminga’s lackluster first game in a Hawks uniform, some Warriors fans expressed disappointment that head coach Steve Kerr could not make things work in Kuminga’s five seasons with the team, especially after Golden State lost a close game against the lifeless New Orleans Pelicans.

“I’ll never forget what Kerr did to Kuminga,” wrote X user @__pettyhardaway.

“As surely as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, some people are going to say, ‘Well, Kuminga didn’t do it for Golden State…’. Well, I say it, it’s hard to do anything off the bench,” @Rickygreeneyze said.

@klewis1123 added, “I see Kuminga had 27 days for ATL tonight…glad the GS decided he had no real use for that kind of athleticism, scoring or perimeter shooting.”

@RookieHigh reported, “Kuminga with 27 points on 12 shots in just 24 minutes… extremely talented but Kerr wanted to force him to be a corner screen setter.”

“The Warriors could have used Kuminga tonight but at least they have Porzingis… wait… Porzingis doesn’t play…” @NinerGangManny joked.

Before the trade deadline, the Atlanta Hawks decided to move on by trading former face of the franchise Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Young was often injured this season and was not very productive when healthy, but the Hawks decided they would rather get some value for him rather than give him a big contract moving forward.

It also allows the Hawks to transition to a defense-first identity, with the team handing the keys to the franchise to rising star Jalen Johnson. But Young’s departure was so sudden that everyone didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.

Tuesday night, Hawks visit Young with Wizards finally got it His well-deserved public farewell. The Hawks released a tribute video to Young, to which the multiple-time All-Star reacted emotionally.

Via ClutchPoints beat reporter Malik Brown and Hawks.com reporter Kevin Chouinard:

Trae Young Tribute Video + Trae’s Reaction pic.twitter.com/ZHXl8v715a

– Malik Brown (@_MalikATL) 25 February 2026

Trae Young reacts to his tribute video pic.twitter.com/mJ2xF5H6eT

– Kevin Chouinard (@KLChouinard) 25 February 2026

Young played some of his best basketball for the Hawks, and the city of Atlanta adopted him as one of their own. It may not have worked out for Young in the end in Atlanta, but that doesn’t take away from anything he’s done for the team in his seven and a half seasons with the team.

Trae Young, Hawks make fresh start

The Hawks got a fresh start, but so did Young. Young has long been scapegoated for his defensive shortcomings, but in the nation’s capital, he’ll get more help than ever, especially once Anthony Davis gets healthy.

It wasn’t an easy decision for the Hawks to lose Young, but Johnson’s emergence as a point forward and the team’s improved depth could bode well for their future – especially when they have a potential top-five pick in this year’s draft.

The Charlotte Hornets struck gold with the selection of sharpshooting wing Kon Nueppel with the fourth overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. Knueppel has made an immediate impact for the Hornets thanks to his consistently excellent play, leading them to the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Many believed that his skills would easily translate to the NBA game, but even Knueppel’s most optimistic supporters would not have guessed that he would play so well so early in his professional career.

On Tuesday night, in a comfortable win over the faltering Chicago Bulls, Knueppel had another solid regular season, scoring 21 points on an efficient 7-12 from the field and 3-6 from beyond the arc as the Hornets blew a lead of over 30 points.

Knueppel entered the night just two three-pointers short of his career-high 200 points; In surpassing the triple, he needed only 58 games to surpass that figure, which is the fastest ever performance in NBA history, as reported by the official ClutchPoints account on X (formerly Twitter).

The Hornets sharpshooter is quickly on his way to becoming one of the most prolific outside shooters in league history, and considering how important shooting skills are, especially in today’s NBA, Knueppel is well on his way to becoming one of the league’s best players.

Kon Nueppel is the jewel of the Hornets’ rebuild

It’s not at all clear that Knuppel is truly the crown jewel of the Hornets’ rebuild. LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller are incredible players in their own right, but Knueppel’s unstoppable scoring ability and efficient volume production from beyond the arc have made him one of the most valuable players in the association, especially considering he is only 20 years old.

On the season, Knueppel averaged 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game on 49/44/89 shooting splits.

The Brooklyn Nets have their sights set on the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. After making an NBA-record five-round selection last June, the team is committed to building through the draft for the first time in the Brooklyn era.

Despite this, according to NBA insider Jake Fisher, rival teams continue to point to Brooklyn as a potential trade suitor for Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer.

Fisher wrote, “I’ve heard rival teams thinking loudly about the potential emergence of Brooklyn as a credible destination given the Nets have a large amount of draft capital to package with Michael Porter Jr. … or with a trade construction that puts MPJ to play alongside Antetokounmpo.”

While the Nets are in the early stages of a rebuild, Antetokounmpo has long been viewed as their top trade target.

Rival teams think the Nets could enter the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes

Brooklyn has established itself as one of the NBA’s worst teams in pursuit of the top pick in a crowded 2026 draft. However, the team will not be tanking next season, as it has to pay a 2027 first-round pick swap to the Houston Rockets. The Nets have the ammo to put together one of the most competitive packages for Antetokounmpo.

They have an NBA-best 13 first-round picks over the next seven years. Michael Porter Jr. or Nic Claxton could serve as the main salary filler in an Antetokounmpo deal. Brooklyn could also include young prospects like Nolan Traore, De’Ron Sharp, Noah Clowney, Drake Powell and Danny Wolf.

The main question surrounding the Nets’ potential pursuit of Antetokounmpo is whether they can make a deal with enough assets to build a team around the two-time MVP. With several teams pursuing the Bucks superstar at the deadline and several more teams likely to enter the equation in the offseason, the price won’t be low.

The Indiana Pacers (15-43) aren’t too concerned about winning games this season, but head coach Rick Carlisle still needs enough healthy players to finish the campaign. Veteran point guard TJ McConnell tried to scare his teammates a little during Tuesday night’s home game against the Philadelphia 76ers (31-26).

McConnell recorded a steal and had an uncontested breakaway at the end of the first quarter. Initially it looked like he might dunk the ball, but he went for a layup instead. The 33-year-old man suddenly stopped and started holding her leg, which revealed the entire incident. He flashed a big smile as he walked back to the court and the bench did the same.

TJ McConnell got a flat tire on this transition layup attempt and feigned injury before leaving the Pacers bench, holding his hamstring. pic.twitter.com/HUT9sK6Xel

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 25 February 2026

The Pacers currently sit in last place in the Eastern Conference, but they are still managing to stay upbeat amid all the on-court misery. McConnell has over a decade of NBA experience and has been with Indiana since the 2019-20 season, so he presumably bears the responsibility of keeping locker-room morale at a satisfactory level. Leadership can take many forms, including self-deprecation.

Duquesne and Arizona’s untapped talent provided the Pacers with a good laugh, and laughter can be quite therapeutic when the team is stuck in the basement. The organization is willing to tolerate the losses until Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and others recover, especially if it means landing a top-five pick in an vaunted draft class, but losing on a regular basis is sure to take a toll on players.

TJ McConnell is doing his part to keep the Pacers on the field. There are many layers to the tireless, high-motor playmaker, but first and foremost, he’s on the roster to bring energy. No. 9 certainly accomplished that mission with his “old-man” layup.

In addition to the veteran leadership that Khris Middleton can bring to the Dallas Mavericks, the 2021 NBA champions can still punish defenses on any given night. Although he is unlikely to remain with the team beyond this season, the franchise should still try to absorb all the wisdom the three-time All-Star has to share. Unfortunately, he injured his right shoulder during Tuesday’s road matchup against the Brooklyn Nets and will not return, according to NBA correspondent Marc Stein.

Middleton helped the Mavs end a 10-game losing streak by scoring a team-high 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting against the Indiana Pacers.

The New Orleans Pelicans have had a tough season and continue to stumble in the standings, but they look forward to the return of guard Dejounte Murray.

On January 31, 2025, Dejounte Murray suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in the Pelicans’ game against the Boston Celtics. Murray played only eight minutes and nine seconds before suffering an injury.

After missing 13 months due to an Achilles injury and working hard to return, the Pelicans guard made his season debut and return from injury on Tuesday night when the Pelicans hosted the Golden State Warriors inside the Smoothie King Center.

In a tremendous show of respect, the Pelicans reorganized their starting lineup and named Dejounte Murray at the last spot in the group while the crowd cheered him on.

https://x.com/RodWalkerNola/status/2026465486892834952

On the first play of the game, center DeAndre Jordan found Murray cutting to the left corner with a bounce pass. Murray made an acrobatic reverse layup, giving him his first basket back since the injury.

Dejounte Murray goes backdoor for his first bucket in his comeback

This is their first game after January 31, 2025!

pic.twitter.com/51kXHZ6nBM

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 25 February 2026

Dejounte Murray played five minutes in his first period and ended the game to a loud ovation from the Pelicans fans. Murray finished with four points on 2-of-3 shooting from the field.

Murray had been growing rapidly over the past few weeks, but only six months after Achilles surgery did he regain some of his athletic ability. The Pelicans guard actually posted a video of himself throwing down a reverse dunk with relative ease six months into his recovery.

6 months and it feels lighter!!! 😁 I’ll see you all again soon!!! 😤😈 #dm5🖤 pic.twitter.com/PuThC0u386

– Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray) 20 August 2025

Since becoming a full-time starter in the 2020 season, Dejounte Murray has averaged 18.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the field. If Murray can get back to form quickly, this could either make for an interesting part of the Pelicans’ rebuild or a great trade piece for a team lacking an athletic, do-everything guard.

It wasn’t just the Chicago Bulls facing the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night. it is marked official return After being Coby White’s traded from chicago To the Charlotte Hornets.

During a timeout in the first quarter, the Bulls Jumbotron flashed on the screen A video tribute to White. It highlights his journey from North Carolina to becoming a fan favorite in Chicago in 2019.

The Bulls paid tribute to Coby White in their first game in Chicago as part of Charlotte @clutchpoints pic.twitter.com/5HLxIaEllp

– Zachary Draves (@DravesZachary) 25 February 2026

As expected, fans at the United Center gave White a hearty applause for the ex, formerly @M4VERICK_CARTER on Twitter.

Bulls in-game tribute to Coby White pic.twitter.com/MKCsv4IBZY

– M4VERICK (@M4VERICK_CARTER) 25 February 2026

Furthermore, when he waved towards the fans, players on both sides clapped for him. Heading into Tuesday, the Bulls are trying to snap a nine-game losing streak. They’re 24-34 and haven’t won a game all month. Meanwhile, the Hornets are 27-31 and have won 7 of their last 10 games.

Before Tuesday, the questions were Regarding whether White will play, given that he is coming from shin injury. He did not play a game with the Hornets until Chicago.

In 29 games with the Bulls, White averaged 18.6 points and 4.7 assists per game. White signed the final year of his three-year, $36 million contract With Chicago in 2023.

Overall, White built a reputation An effective scorer and playmaker in Chicago. During his rookie season, White made the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. He also became the fastest player in franchise history to score 500 career 3-pointers in 237 games.

In March 2025, he was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month. That same month, White won two Player of the Week honors. Overall, White scored 6,945 points with Chicago.

The Atlanta Hawks face the Washington Wizards on Tuesday hoping to pick up their 29th win of the season. Unfortunately, star forward Jalen Johnson is said to have suffered a hip injury during the contest.

According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, reports indicate that Johnson, who is 24, suffered a left hip strain during the game. The Hawks listed him as questionable to return.

“Hawks say Jalen Johnson has a left hip flexor injury and is questionable to return against the Wizards.”

The injury occurred during the first six minutes of the game against the Wizards. Jalen Johnson left the court after recording five points, three rebounds and two steals on 50.0% shooting from the floor. According to Siegel, after a quick trip to the locker room, Atlanta ruled Johnson out for the remainder of the game.

“Jalen Johnson will not return to tonight’s game due to his hip injury.”

Hopefully, it’s not a serious injury and Johnson can return soon. He has emerged as one of the go-to stars for the Hawks, as he entered Tuesday’s contest averaging 23.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 49.4% from the floor and 34.3% from beyond the three-point line. He earned an All-Star award this season for the first time in his career.

Newly hired forward Jonahn Kuminga may get some additional playing time alongside Jalen Johnson against the Wizards. Zachary Rishachar may also see an expanded role. Either way, these are the two players most likely to step up for the Hawks if Johnson misses time with a hip injury.

The New Orleans Pelicans will take on the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night and it will mark many special occasions for the franchise’s players.

First and foremost, guard Dejounte Murray will make his long-awaited return to the basketball court in January 2025 after missing a total of 13 months due to a torn right Achilles tendon.

Head coach James Borrego said before the game, Murray would play and be on a one-minute limit in the game.

But Tuesday night will also mark a milestone for forward Zion Williamson. Duke’s former number one player has suffered a number of injuries since entering the league in 2019, and everyone is hoping he will finally turn a corner this season.

Tuesday night will mark Williamson’s 26th consecutive start, a new career high for the Pelicans forward.

Zion Williamson is set to make his 26th consecutive start tonight, which would be the longest of his career.

– MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) 24 February 2026

So far, Zion Williamson has played in 42 of the Pelicans’ 58 games this season, averaging 21.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.0 steals, while shooting 58.7 percent from the field.

According to Spotrac’s Keith Smith, Friday’s game against the Bucks was the 41st game of the season for Zion Williamson, who triggered a $16.8 million contract guaranteed for the 2026-27 season.

If Williamson is able to play eight more games to reach 51 after tonight, his contract guarantees will increase to $25.3 million. If he plays 61 games it will jump to $33.7 million.

If Williamson plays 61 games and meets certain weight criteria, he can fully guarantee the $42.2 million he is owed for the 2026–27 season.

The Pelicans have 24 games remaining on Tuesday, meaning Williamson will have to play in 19 of the final 24 games to have a chance to fully guarantee a deal next season.

In his seven seasons in the NBA, Zion Williamson has played 24 games in his rookie season, 61 in his second season, did not play at all in the 2021-22 season, 29 games in his third season, 70 games in his fourth season, and 30 games in his fifth season.

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.

The Portland Trail Blazers have played their last six games without the services of guard Shayden Sharp, and it looks like he’ll be missing more games — possibly even the rest of the 2025-26 NBA season — due to a lower-body injury.

The Blazers provided an update on the former 22-year-old Sharp via a social media post on Twitter on Tuesday.

“Trail Blazers guard Shadden Sharp continues to be treated for a left calf strain. Follow-up imaging revealed a stress reaction of the left fibula. Sharp will be reevaluated in approximately four to six weeks to allow adequate healing before beginning a progressive return to full basketball activity,” the update said.

Considering the timeline, there’s a real possibility that Sharp won’t suit up for another game for Portland this season. The Trail Blazers will have played 15 games in four weeks by the latest injury update on Sharp and seven more games in the sixth week of the timeline. Simply put, the outlook on Sharp is not great this season, as the Trail Blazers look to continue to contend for a spot in the NBA playoffs.

Sharpe last played against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Moda Center in Portland on February 6, where he suffered an injury. He left that contest in the second quarter and did not return.

The injury is a major blow for the Trail Blazers, as Sharp is one of the team’s most important players. He is second on the team in scoring so far this season, averaging 21.4 points per game, along with 4.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest, while shooting 45.6 percent from the floor and 34.0 percent from behind the arc.

The update on Sharp, who was selected seventh in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft by the Trail Blazers, further adds to Portland’s headache on the injury front, as it is also without NBA All-Star Danny Avdija at the moment due to a back injury.

That means the Trail Blazers will be without their top two scorers when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

The Portland Trail Blazers have seen Deni Avdija quickly rise to stardom in just less than two years in their program. Now is the time to treat him right and save him from himself.

Avdija has had a stellar season for the Blazers, earning his first All-Star selection while posting career-highs across the board. In those first 40 games, Deni Avdija averaged 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from three.

But on January 11, the Trail Blazers forward suffered a back injury in the team’s home loss to the New York Knicks. It was a game in which he played a little over 38 minutes but after the game he admitted that he might have to miss some time.

Avdija missed three games before returning and playing well in a win against the Sacramento Kings, scoring 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the win. But the back injury resurfaced in the team’s next game four days later against the Miami Heat. Avdija played only 17 minutes before departing and not returning.

This started an 18-game streak in which Avdija played only eight games, and if so, no more than two consecutive complete games.

Coming off the All-Star break, Deni Avdija played 30 minutes in a 54-point loss against the Nuggets and looked fine despite the blowout nature of the game. But just 59 seconds into Portland’s contest against the Phoenix Suns, Avdija went to the bench to ask to cool off after a post-up attempt and did not return with another back injury.

Just a minute left in the game and Deni Avdija goes to the locker room with a lower back injury (with replay)

I also included the dramas he was already involved in#ripcity

It took a minute for the game to start and Danny Awadiya went to the dressing room with a lower back injury

This is really starting to become a matter of concern.

Including… pic.twitter.com/qMypKDl9p

– MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) 23 February 2026

Acting head coach Tiago Splitter spoke about Avdija’s injury after the game and how the team rallied to defeat the Suns despite playing without their key ball-handler and playmaker.

“Denny, like I said, he was questionable, he was feeling good before the game,” Splitter said. “His back just…felt it again, we lost him and it’s not easy. The team had to figure it out offensively, but I think defensively, everyone stepped up and did an amazing job.”

Splitter also mentioned that the Trail Blazers could explore the possibility of keeping Avdija sitting longer as they delve deeper into the root of his recurring back injuries.

When asked about the possibility of shutting down Deni Avdija, Splitter responded, “Well, I’m not a doctor, but yes.” “I might have to look at what’s going on and dig deeper to see what’s really going on.”

At this stage, the Portland Trail Blazers need Avdija to perform right and sit him out until his back is as close to 100 percent as possible. He is already scheduled to miss Tuesday night’s game against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves, but he should be kept on the bench for much longer to allow his back to properly heal.

The problem is that the Trail Blazers desperately need their All-Star forward as they continue to battle with the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and LA Clippers for position in the play-in tournament.

Entering Tuesday night, the seventh-seeded Suns have a game lead over the Blazers and the Warriors have a 2.5 game lead. Meanwhile, the Clippers are just a half-game behind Portland in the standings.

Additionally, Deni Avdija’s Trail Blazers have lost the season series against the Suns 2–1, swept the season series against the Warriors 3–1, and trailed the season series against the Clippers 2–0 with the final two games remaining in the final three weeks of the season.

Nike has always been the leading authority on all things basketball footwear, pioneering innovative silhouettes since the early 1970s. The list of notable athletes is nearly endless, including some of the best players to ever play the game, like Michael Jordan and LeBron James. In reviving several models throughout 2025 and now 2026, Nike plans to revive the Nike Air Flightposite 3 sneakers for the first time.

Check out our sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content.

Nike first introduced the Flyknit silhouette in 1999 as a part of its Nike Alpha Project. The shoes were designed by sneaker architect Eric Avar, who is responsible for some of the most iconic Nike sneakers of all-time like the Foamposite and the Nike Kobe Signature line.

The Nike Flightposite Series was favored by many superstars of the late 90s and early 2000s, most notably Kevin Garnett of the Timberwolves, Tim Duncan of the Spurs, and Allen Houston of the Knicks. For the first time since the release of the Flightposite 3 in 2001, Nike will be bringing back the hyper futuristic silhouette in 2027.

Nike Air Flightposite 3

Exclusive: The Nike Air Flightposite 3 is returning in 2027. As of now, 3 colorways are set to return. For more, watch and subscribe: https://t.co/QJTmFGlEPG

🤝@sneakerfiles @zsneakerheadz pic.twitter.com/ZhXEwhJXOF

– sneakerfiles.com (@sneakerfiles) 23 February 2026

The Nike Air Flightposite 3 will return for the first time in 2027 👀 🏀

Learn more: https://t.co/dUkJul2nxp pic.twitter.com/HPFFWrwexG

– Sneaker Bar Detroit (@SBDetroit) 24 February 2026

Alan Houston in the Nike Air Flightposite 3. pic.twitter.com/Y14GRbgiUA

– Sneaker History (@SneakerHistory) 7 July 2021

Following the same Foamposite construction as classics like the Air Foamposite and both previous Flightposite models, the third version is possibly the strangest looking of the collection. They look straight out of a sci-fi movie thanks to the “pods” on the sides and were marketed by some of the best players in the game. Reinforced with straps in the midfoot, the entire upper is made of Foamposite material and rests on a reactive Nike Zoom outsole.

Expected to drop in multiple colorways throughout 2027, Nike plans to add more reimagined looks to the classic sneakers. Typically coming at a higher price due to their premium materials, this pair is expected to retail for over $200. Plus, fans have been clamoring for their return for the last quarter decade, so expect a ton of hype when these drop on Nike SNKRS next year.

During a recent episode of Jeopardy, the contestants were completely stunned by a question regarding former NBA MVP and Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA).

The contestants were given information about the SGA, but none of the contestants received the answer. Host Ken Jennings gave them a few seconds before revealing the answer.

Clue: SGA, This guy won the ’25 NBA MVP award from 2024 along with scoring titles and NBA championships

*Contestants surprised*

Ken Jennings: “SGA is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.”

(via @hazard)
pic.twitter.com/zDqHPV03ce

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 24 February 2026

“SGA, this guy [picture shown]Jennings won the 2024-25 NBA MVP award along with the scoring title and an NBA championship.

Who is Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA)?

For anyone competing in Jeopardy! In the future, they will want to know who Gilgeous-Alexander is. At only 27 years old, Sga is a four-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA First Team player.

2025 was a breakout year for Gilgeous-Alexander. He was named NBA MVP, and the Thunder won the NBA Finals (Sga was named MVP of the series).

He played 76 games during the 2024–25 season. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.7 points (career-high), five rebounds and 6.4 assists per game.

Through 49 games in the 2025–26 season, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. Currently, he is suffering from an injury which has caused him to miss several matches.

Even without SGA, the Thunder are rolling. They are 44–14 and in first place in the Northwest Division. The Thunder are also in first place in the Western Conference. They are coming off an eight-point win over the Cleveland Cavaliers and will next play against the Toronto Raptors.

SGA was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 11th pick in the 2018 NBA draft out of Kentucky. However, he never played for the Hornets, as he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on draft night. After one season with the Clippers, he was traded to the Thunder. He remained with them for the next seven seasons.

As the Memphis Grizzlies are playing the final weeks of a losing season that could yield a premium pick in the NBA Draft, Tuomas Isalo’s focus is on incremental gains. That progress will be based on sound, fundamental basketball that every high school hooper should know. However, fans may feel stressed given the current marching orders. Lose enough to improve draft position. Win enough to build a foundation. Do both honestly, even against the lowly Sacramento Kings.

Keeping things simple, relatively speaking, has apparently been a recipe for destruction over the last two dozen or so games.

“I think the biggest thing is to play somewhat consistent basketball,” Isalo said. “We were able to immediately integrate some new guys into the cycle of the game. It wasn’t easy. We tried to keep the cognitive load to a minimum. Just do the basics. Those days we had to practice (after the All-Star Game break) were very important in that regard.”

Losing Ja Morant (injury) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (trade) was a real turning point for a small-market franchise looking to get back to contention quickly. While most NBA staffs got a chance to rest during the break, Isalo’s staff prepared for a reset.

“We worked to make sure everyone was going in the same direction and knew what was expected of them in different situations,” Isalo shared. “For that to happen, you need to stabilize some of the roles. So when we have new guys coming in, we’ve focused on keeping their roles as similar as possible from night to night so they can have some stability.”

In what Grizzlies (21-35) fans and league observers might call a moral tank job, Isalo’s consistency-first approach is central. They are competitive but fall six games behind the LA Clippers for the final NBA Play-in Tournament spot. Still, as more players return from injury and the front office fills out the roster with 10-day contracts, Isalo plans to increase the complexity for those who have shown they can handle it.

“Let’s say there are people who are more fluent in our language. We can move them around a bit and see what we haven’t uncovered yet about the players,” Isalo explained. “Because they’re playing with different players in different roles, you can suddenly see that a guy is capable of doing something that maybe wasn’t as obvious before.”

Finding hidden gems is what separates a well-run rebuilding season from a doomed one. Sending the current group into the summer with habits and film that will serve them next season, no matter where the draft lands, is a top priority. A win would be welcome, Isalo made clear, but not at the expense of the bigger picture. The Finnish coach will have to rely on lessons learned over the next six weeks to avoid another six months of trouble in 2027.

So, for now, the measure of success in the final weeks won’t lie in the standings, but in whether the Grizzlies establish a foundation for the offseason. If Memphis can finish the year playing organized, disciplined basketball, the team hopes that a tough 2025-26 campaign will at least create clarity as we move toward a new era.

Memphis Grizzlies franchise star Ja Morant has always worn his heart on his sleeve since his days as a high-flyer for the Murray State basketball program. Morant took the country by storm with his generational talent and has been entertaining NBA fans since being drafted second overall in 2019. As was the case with his previous releases, Morant recently shared his Murray State Nike Ja 3 signature shoes.

Check out our sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content!

Ja Morant paved quite the way for himself at Murray State, and became the program’s all-time leader in single-season assists (331), single-season points (808), and career assists. In 2018–2019, Morant became the first player in NCAA men’s basketball history to average 20+ points and 10+ assists per game.

After linking up with Nike and releasing his first signature sneakers shortly thereafter, the Nike Ja 3 stands out as Morant’s most unique creation to date. The stunning silhouette is uniquely linked to his electric play on the court and this upcoming “Murray State” colorway serves as a constant reminder of where Morant became a household name.

Nike J3 “Murray State”

Official Retailer Images: Nike Jaa 3 “Murray State” 🐻
📆 5th March
👪 Adult + GS Size
💰 $125 / $102

Take a closer look: https://t.co/ItnM2TTeDT pic.twitter.com/0TmPf5px5I

– Sneaker News (@SneakerNews) 23 February 2026

Ja Morant rocks the Nike Ja 3 “Murray State” pic.twitter.com/t81kCkTyLe

– Complex Sneakers (@ComplexSneakers) 22 January 2026

Morant released previous “Murray State” versions of his Nike Ja 1 and Ja 2 sneakers over the past two years, all of which were a uniform white/blue/yellow colorway to match the Racers’ school colors. Sporting a “Claw” design throughout the Nike Ja 3, the left shoe will feature alternating scratch marks with a yellow-to-blue gradient, while the right shoe of both shoes will feature a blue-to-yellow gradient for a mismatched look.

Based on the ZoomX outsole, the shoe will feature a White base on the upper, tongue and sockliner. We see Electric Blue/Yellow Nike Swooshes on the lateral side of both shoes, framed by a metallic JA logo on the tongue. Overall, this is definitely the most unique “Murray State” colorway we’ve seen from the signature line yet.

The Nike J3 “Murray State” will release on March 5th, 2025 for a standard retail tag of $125. The shoes will come in full family sizes with adjusted pricing and are expected to be available on Nike SNKRS release day. Usually available in ample stock, be sure to also check your local Nike retailers to see if they are stocking pairs.

What are your thoughts on Morant’s latest Nike Ja 3 creation?

Recently, Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle made headlines by hitting back at the NBA for the franchise’s fine that revolved around the team allegedly sitting healthy players in an effort to tank. Carlisle claimed that the league had insisted that the injured Aaron Nesmith play, even after being prescribed medication for his ankle injury.

Now, the NBA has hit back at Carlisle’s harsh words with its own description of the events.

“Coach Carlisle’s description of the process involved in the decision to fine the Indiana Pacers is inaccurate. An independent physician led the medical review,” a league spokesperson said, per Brett Siegel, formerly of Twitter, via The Athletic. “…The Pacers confirmed that he provided all information requested by the league and the team stated that an interview with Coach Carlisle or the team physician was not necessary.”

Apparently, Carlisle and the league front office are not on the same page about what happened regarding Nesmith.

The NBA has been trying to crack down on tanking in recent weeks, as well as fining the Utah Jazz a hefty amount for sitting healthy players as teams try to secure the best draft picks.

The 2026 NBA Draft class is widely considered loaded, and the process of teaming a blue-chip prospect with a healthy Tyrese Haliburton next year is certainly an attractive one for the Pacers.

However, all things considered, it seems there are even more questionable tanking practices going on around the league than what is happening in Indiana.

One of the biggest stories this season is the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo and whether he will stay with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks are currently out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, as the roster is not suited to make a championship run without another star to take the load off Antetokounmpo and step up if he is injured.

But it appears Antetokounmpo is taking matters into his own hands, as a video from NBA All-Star weekend in which he is “recruiting” Suns star Devin Booker has surfaced. In the video, Giannis cited the example of Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart, who is known for his aggressive playing style and old-school enforcer attitude.

“You make everything look good, man, but you wear a different jersey than me. You can wear the same jersey as me. I’m like Isaiah Stewart: I’ll fight for you,” Antetokounmpo said in the video.

The reference was appropriate because Stewart was suspended seven games for running off the bench for fighting Hornets forward Miles Bridges following an altercation involving the Pistons’ Jalen Duren and the Hornets’ Moussa Diabate. But the joke hides the truth that Antetokounmpo wants help to achieve his championship.

Booker and Antetokounmpo share an interesting history, having faced off in the 2021 NBA Finals, which resulted in Giannis’ first and only NBA title. After leading the series 2–0, the Bucks swept four consecutive wins and their first NBA championship since 1971.

While Booker likely won’t be available for a trade this offseason, perhaps acquiring a second star would be what Antetokounmpo would need to stay in Milwaukee.

On Monday evening, the Houston Rockets got back into the win column with a comfortable home win over the Utah Jazz. There was a scary moment when Jazz forward Vince Williams Jr. was injured after colliding with Rockets wing Terry Eason.

It has since been revealed that the injury was likely to be Williams’ ACL, and many fans were doubtful of Eason’s intentions in this game.

After the game, Eason took the opportunity to apologize to Williams for the incident.

According to Sarah Todd of the Desert News, Eason said, “I’ve known Vince for a long time and he’s a really good guy, hard-working guy.” “It was just respect. I have a lot of respect for him, and I know it’s his contract year… I didn’t intend to do anything. My intention is always just to work hard. So I went to yell and just go check on him. Obviously nothing helps, but just tell him I’m sorry. You know, nobody’s trying to hurt anybody.”

Meanwhile, Jazz coach Will Hardy had a strong reaction to the play.

“That’s not basketball,” Hardy said.

Overall, it was a strong performance for the Rockets on Monday, which was much needed after their recent loss against the New York Knicks on Saturday evening at Madison Square Garden. In that game, the Rockets led by 18 points in the second half, but could only put 15 points on the board in a poor fourth quarter and ultimately succumbed to Jalen Brunson’s jumpers.

The loss rekindled concerns about the Rockets’ crunch time offense and the team’s lack of a true point guard, although Fred VanVleet has not yet been officially ruled out for the remainder of the season as he continues to battle his ACL injury.

The Rockets next take the court against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday evening.

Utah Jazz forward Vince Williams Jr. has suffered a torn left ACL and will undergo season-ending surgery, league sources told ClutchPoints on Tuesday. An MRI Tuesday morning confirmed Utah’s initial fears, and Williams will spend most of the upcoming offseason recovering from this major knee injury.

The injury occurred on Monday night, when the Jazz were on the road to face the Houston Rockets. With about nine minutes left in the second quarter, Williams was running alongside Terry Eason after Utah turned the ball over. In transition, Eason appeared to intentionally bump Williams to get a better position for a 2-on-1 opportunity.

Then Williams’ right knee buckled under him and moved inward. He immediately fell to the ground, holding his right knee in front of the jazz bench. Will Hardy was angry at the officials for not making the call, as Eason’s physical position with Williams in the game could have easily been considered an offensive foul.

Williams, who was in obvious pain, did not put any weight on his leg as Jazz staff members carried him to the locker room.

According to the Deseret News, after the game, Eason went to the Jazz locker room and checked on Williams, and said he had great “respect” for him and had no “intention” to injure him. Eason apologized for the unfortunate injury and clarified that he had no intention of trying to hurt Williams during the game.

“Not feeling very good,” Hardy said succinctly in his postgame comments. “That’s not basketball.”

Williams was traded to the Jazz on February 3 in an eight-player deal with the Memphis Grizzlies that also sent All-Star big man Jaren Jackson Jr. to Salt Lake City. Jackson was recently signed off by the Jazz and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA season after undergoing surgery to remove a localized pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) growth in his left knee.

In six games with the Jazz, Williams averaged 4.7 points and 3.2 rebounds in approximately 14.0 minutes per game. This season, he has shot 35.3 percent from the floor and 31.1 percent from 3-point range with Memphis and Utah.

NBC analyst Reggie Miller is high on the Boston Celtics’ potential in the NBA playoffs. in a recent appearance dan patrick showMiller praised the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown for stepping up during Tatum’s absence and highlighted the team’s depth. He then said that the Celtics are “the scariest team in the Eastern Conference”, even with Tatum marginalized.

“The Celtics are the scariest team in the Eastern Conference, and the reason there are no expectations is because people thought it would be a gap year. Yeah. About Tatum and the way Jaylen Brown is, his name should definitely be in the MVP discussion with Cade Cunningham.”

He added, “With the Celtics, with or without Tatum coming back, the Celtics are a real threat to win the Easter Conference… They’ve been well coached by Coach Mazzulla. They’re deep. They can play a lot of ways. They can play big, small, and I think Vucevic has a pickup low. You can play it back to the basket. He can knock down threes. They play a certain way. They shoot a lot of threes. Gonna jack up. Most of those shots come from, uh, 16 feet away. Defensively, I’m just telling people they’re high on the Knicks and that’s right, and Cleveland’s going up too.

The Boston Celtics are currently in second place in the East behind the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. They are two games up on the third-seeded New York Knicks in the loss column. The Celtics have emerged as one of the biggest stories of the season, as many NBA fans and forecasters believed they would suffer a blowout without Tatum in the lineup.

But Jaylen Brown has stepped up. He averaged 29.2 points, 7 rebounds and 1 steal along with 4.9 assists per game. The Browns also have help from Peyton Pritchard, who is averaging 17.6 points per game, and Derrick White, who is averaging 17 points per game. Additionally, a sharpshooter like Sam Hauser has emerged as one of the best high-volume shooters in the league, as he shoots 39% from the three-point line. The Celtics also recently acquired Nikola Vucevic, who is averaging 11 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. The Celtics head to Phoenix to play the Suns tonight at 9pm Eastern.

Golden State Warriors legend Stephen Curry is the latest NBA star to hit free agency, but the four-time champion and unanimous MVP isn’t moving away from the Bay Area. Over the past few weeks, serious drama has emerged between Curry and longtime sponsor Under Armor as Curry’s contract expires. Following this, Curry was seen rocking several sneaker brands both on the court and in the tunnel, narrowing his final choice down to three brands.

Check out our sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content!

Steph Curry first signed to Under Armor in 2013, becoming the face of their basketball line and one of the first big-name athletes to join. The two sides released eight standalone, name-bearing models until the creation of the subset Curry brand in 2020. With Stephen Curry serving as president, he managed to sign other NBA talents such as the Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox and the Heat’s Davion Mitchell.

Curry’s split with Under Armour

The Under Armor basketball account on Instagram took followers from the Curry brand account after the NBA star parted ways with the brand.

(via @SoleRetriever) pic.twitter.com/miOrsXIOy8

– The Sporting News (@sportingnews) 19 February 2026

During contract negotiations and initial consideration that the Curry brand would move away from Under Armour, Under Armor displaced all Curry brand social media followers on their main Under Armor page. The move has caused a stir throughout the sneaker community as Curry continues to rock other brands during basketball activities. Fans have also taken notice and come to the defense of their favorite NBA star.

Where will Stephen Curry sign next?

under armor

While there may be rifts between the two sides, it’s hard to distance yourself from a partnership that has lasted nearly Curry’s entire career. In sneaker terms, Curry leaving Under Armor would be the equivalent of leaving the Warriors, which fans don’t even want to think about at this point. Keeping all of its assets organized and within Under Armor could help promote the Curry brand even more in the years to come.

Nike

There’s no doubt that most athletes would jump at the idea of ​​joining the biggest sports brand in the world. Nike has a long history with the best of the game like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Michael Jordan, so it would make sense to make Curry its fourth Lifetime Athlete. Additionally, Curry has a close relationship with WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu, who is making history with her current Nike Sabrina signature sneaker line.

However, during their 2013 pitch to originally sign Curry, Nike made a huge mistake by mispronouncing “Stephen” and failing to prioritize him as a top athlete. Since Curry has been rocking a number of Nike sneakers before and during recent NBA games, there may be a chance he’s ready to make a mistake and bring the Curry brand to unimaginable heights.

end

The final brand that Soul Retriever originally reported made Curry’s final cut is Chinese sportswear brand ANTA. Curry has been seen endorsing recent ANTA sneakers during games thanks to his performance. However, Curry’s own “splash brother” Klay Thompson has been signed to ANTA since 2014 after leaving Nike, so he may be in Curry’s ear about the budding brand.

Additionally, Mavs’ Kyrie Irving serves as the Chief Creative Officer for ANTA and recently opened their first flagship location in the United States. Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Curry admitted that he respects emerging brands as he did when he joined Under Armor 13 years ago.

Curry is expected to make his decision in the coming weeks, with the NBA offseason likely being the latest deadline for an announcement. Remaining at Under Armor is the least likely outcome at this point and we’re all anxiously waiting to see where the Curry brand establishes its new roots.

The Charlotte Hornets will face the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday in Chicago. Coby White will make his official return to the United Center after being traded to Charlotte.

According to Will Gottlieb of the CHGO Bulls, during warmups, White took time to reflect on the moment he thought his career in Chicago was over. His last game with the Bulls was on February 3 against the Milwaukee Bucks. In that game, White scored 21 points and played 30 minutes.

After all, White already knew this would happen.

“I feel like … you can read between the lines. It’s not hard in this league and this business to see what’s going on.”

“I feel like … you can read between the lines. It’s not hard in this league and this business to see what’s going on.”

🗣️ Kobe White on playing his last game with the Bulls

(🎥: @Will_Gottlieb ) pic.twitter.com/fFTcUV26XL

– CHGO Bulls (@CHGO_Bulls) 24 February 2026

Meanwhile, according to Fox 32’s Tina Nguyen, White’s former Bulls teammate Trey Jones is waiting for this opportunity. During practice, Jones said he fully expected White to do whatever he had to do while recovering from a calf injury.

“We felt like he’ll definitely make a push to get back in this game,” Jones said. “Playing with his former team is a quick transition. We know what he brings to the table. He can space really well and score at a high level.”

#Bull Trey Jones on Coby White: “We felt like he’ll definitely make a push to get back in this game. It’s a quick turnaround to play with your former team.”

Jones also said, “We know what he brings to the table. He can space really well and score at a high level.” #nba pic.twitter.com/b9LhSLGHXG

– Tina Nguyen (@ttinanguyen) 24 February 2026

White still has not played a game for the Hornets. Meanwhile, he averaged 18.6 points and 4.7 assists in 29 games with the Bulls.

Plus, the Hornets are knocking on the door to the play-in game with a 27-31 record. Charlotte has won seven of its last ten games. Meanwhile, the Bulls are facing defeat in nine matches for the first time in seven years.

On Tuesday evening, the New Orleans Pelicans will play at home against the Golden State Warriors. For the first time in more than a year, Dejounte Murray will be in the lineup for the Pelicans as he takes the field for the first time since tearing his Achilles last season, his first in New Orleans. Here’s everything we know about Murray’s injury and his playing status against the Warriors.

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Dejounte Murray’s playing status against the Warriors on Tuesday

It will certainly be a sight for sore eyes when Dejounte Murray takes the field against Golden State on Tuesday. It’s unclear at this point whether or not head coach James Borrego plans to make the point guard the starting point guard, but regardless, he’s sure to get a big reception from the fans at the Smoothie King Center whenever he steps on the field.

Meanwhile, Trey Murphy III will be out for the Pelicans with a right shoulder injury, while Yves Messi is also out with a left calf strain.

For the Warriors, Stephen Curry will be out of the lineup as he deals with a knee injury, while new trade acquisition Kristaps Porzingis is also out due to illness. Draymond Green and De’Anthony Melton both have questionable play.

Murray was acquired by the Pelicans in the summer of 2024 from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for a package centered on Dyson Daniels, who won the Most Improved Player of the Year award in his first season in Atlanta.

Murray’s tenure with New Orleans was a bit of a mixed bag before tearing his Achilles last year, but he will certainly provide a steady balance of playmaking and shot creation to a Pelicans team that desperately needs both.

The Pelicans and Warriors are expected to tip off at 8:00 pm ET.

The Atlanta Hawks are in the midst of an important homestand that could help them clinch a spot in the Eastern Conference. That means they have to play some of their best ball, and that comes with making changes to the lineup to put them in the best position to win.

Head coach Quin Snyder did just that recently, inserting C.J. McCollum into the starting lineup and moving Zachary Reisacher off the bench. This is not new territory for McCullum, as he has been a consistent starter for most of his career. He was asked about the lineup change at the recent Hawks shootaround.

“It’s part of the game. I’ve played 840 matches in my career,” McCullum told reporters. “I’ve obviously started 10 years in a row, and I’m comfortable with that. When I came here I told them, whatever you need me to do, I’ll do. I’ve played a lot of different roles in my career. I’ve been a DNP guy to start. I’ve been to the 7th, 8th and 9th man. I’ve been a starter. So whatever’s needed to help the team, I’ll do.”

With what McCollum has brought to the Hawks since being traded, they may be looking to keep him in the starting lineup instead of coming off the bench. Meanwhile, Riescher has not performed particularly well in his second season and it is time for a change.

“That group of guys that finished the game, their Nets rating is 10 points higher than any other combination,” Snyder said after their game against the Brooklyn Nets. “This is our best lineup. Not starting CJ gives us ball handling and some scoring punch off the bench. But we don’t get that lineup as much.”

Not only would this move help the Hawks get off to a strong start to games, but it could also give Resacher a chance to regain his confidence in a new role.

“I think the biggest thing is that this in no way reflects our and my personal confidence in Zack,” Snyder said. “I thought being in a different phase of the game against different matchups with different guys could be really positive for him. And I was glad to see that I think that was the case. He looked relaxed, and he competed. Jack has all the right things. His development is something that will continue, whether he’s starting or coming off the bench.”

The Golden State Warriors visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Anthony Davis as well as Draymond Green and Al Horford are also on the injury report, with both players listed as questionable. Green is dealing with a left lower back injury, while Horford is dealing with a left toe injury after scoring 22 points in a 128-117 win against the Denver Nuggets. Here’s everything we know about Draymond Green and Al Horford’s injuries and their game status vs. the Pelicans.

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Draymond Green injury status vs. Pelicans

Given that Draymond Green is on the injury report after missing Sunday’s game against the Nuggets, it’s likely he will be suiting up for Tuesday’s game. Horford, who played nearly 30 minutes in Sunday’s win, could potentially sit out. Green and Horford are a fixture on the injury report these days, but we could also see coach Steve Kerr add some older players over the age of 35 amid the Warriors’ extended injury list.

Perhaps Green is inspired by recent criticism of Kendrick Perkins, leading to the comeback against the Pelicans. Green has not played since the Warriors’ 121-110 loss to the Boston Celtics. Still, when it comes to the question of whether the Warriors’ Draymond Green will play tonight against the Pelicans, the answer is probably.

al horford injury status vs pelicans

In a nine-point upset win against the Nuggets, Warriors veteran Al Horford turned the tables with his 22-point performance. He finished with his most impressive performance of the season, with seven assists, three steals and two blocks, including 8-for-11 from the floor, 6-for-7 from deep.

Horford has not played in back-to-backs, meaning if the Warriors were to play him on Tuesday, he would sit for Wednesday’s game against the Nuggets, which is another reason he will probably miss Tuesday’s game. When it comes to the question of whether Al Horford is playing tonight against the Pelicans, the answer is probably no.

warriors injury report

Jimmy Butler III – Out – Right ACL; surgery

Seth Curry – Outside – Left Sciatic Nerve; irritated

Stephen Curry – Out – Right Patellofemoral;

Draymond Green – Questionable – Left lower back; injury management

Al Horford – Questionable – Left toe; Injury

D’Anthony Melton – Questionable – Left knee; injury management

Kristaps Porzingis – out – general illness

pelicans injury report

Yves Missy – outside – left calf; strain

Trey Murphy III – Outside – Right shoulder; Indigo

Dejounte Murray – Available – Right Achilles; Breakage

Mika PV – Outside – Big toe of right foot; Sprain

The San Antonio Spurs are coming off a huge 114-103 win against the Detroit Pistons in a potential NBA Finals preview, and one in which Victor Wembanyama joined a pair of Spurs franchise legends with an incredible feat. Wembanyama also got a new teammate this week with the Spurs signing free agent guard Emmanuel Miller to a two-way contract, according to Michael Scotto of Hoopshype.com.

The Spurs had all three of their two-way roster spots filled, so to make room for Emmanuel Miller, the team waived guard Stanley Umude. The team’s roster is now at 15 standard contracts and all three two-way.

The past few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind for Miller. After starting the season on a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers just before the deadline as part of a multi-team trade that included Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder with the Cavs and De’Andre Hunter with the Sacramento Kings.

Miller was then cut by the Cavs and eventually signed by the Spurs. Over the past two seasons, he has appeared in a total of nine NBA games with the Bulls. He has yet to appear in a game with the Spurs this season.

As part of his season two-way contract, Miller has appeared in 27 G League games between the Windy City Bulls and the Cleveland Charge. He averaged 18.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steals with splits of 54.6 percent shooting from the field, 33 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 69.9 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

The Spurs front office is known for identifying untapped gems and overlooked players in the draft. So it’s worth keeping an eye on Miller’s development.

The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night looking to continue their recent form. The defending champions have won four of their last five matches and face a team that has also built momentum with two wins on the bounce.

According to the official injury report, the Raptors have been handed a big assignment with the return of Scottie Barnes to the roster. Barnes missed the win over the Milwaukee Bucks due to personal reasons, which was only the second time he did not suit up all season.

Meanwhile, the Thunder are missing several players, including players like Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and Jalen Williams, with Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso both listed as questionable. However, they recorded a dominant win over the Cleveland Cavaliers last time out despite missing stars, with Holmgren running the show and finishing with 15 points and 17 rebounds.

Scotty Barnes’ injury status vs. Thunder

Barnes averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.6 assists, earning his second All-Star appearance. His return gives the Raptors some much-needed optimism, especially considering the Thunder’s absence.

The Raptors (34-23) didn’t miss Barnes on Sunday and beat the Milwaukee Bucks 122-94 behind an impressive 32-point performance from Immanuel Quickley. However, that is unlikely to be true against a team that has gone 44-14 so far in the league.

Of course, the Raptors are missing other players as well, with a series of rotational stars on G League assignment, with Jakob Poeltl not expected to suit up either.

Raptors injury report

Jakob Poeltl: Out (lower back strain – injury management)

Chucky Hepburn: Out (G League – Two-Way)

AJ Lawson: Out (G League – Two-Way)

Elijah Martin: Out (G League – Two-Way)

Jonathan Mogbo: Out (G League – On Assignment)

thunderbolt injury report

Alex Caruso: Questionable (left ankle sprain)

Chet Holmgren: Questionable (lower back spasms)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Out (abdominal strain)

Jalen Williams: Out (strained right hamstring)

Ajay Mitchell: Out (abdominal strain/left ankle sprain)

Thomas Sorber: Out (right ACL surgical recovery)

After starting the season in historic fashion, the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder have been hit with injuries. After starting the year without All-Star forward Jalen Williams, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has missed the last few games.

Although the team has been able to “maintain service” in the Western Conference playoff race – maintaining its top spot in the conference – Stephen A. Smith believes the team is in trouble if SGA doesn’t bounce back soon. On the latest edition of ESPN’s First Take, the panel discussed the resurgence of the San Antonio Spurs under Victor Wembanyama after a 114-103 win over the Pistons. While praising the Spurs, Smith expressed doubt about the Thunder without Alexander.

“Without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, I wouldn’t have Oklahoma City [Thunder] As a top 8 team,” Smith said boldly.

Currently, the Thunder have a 6-3 record without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander this season, which includes wins over playoff contenders in the Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Cleveland Cavaliers. But before the All-Star break, they suffered two consecutive losses to the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Alexander has another season worthy of an MVP finish. He is averaging 31.8 points per game and 6.4 assists per game, shooting 55% from the field and 39% from three. He has emerged as a steady hand for the Thunder offense when it needs the basket. With Alexander out of the rotation, the Thunder have had to rely on their trademark effective defense, team basketball and three-point shooting to maintain their edge over their recent opponents.

The Thunder are in for an interesting run of games as they face the playoff contenders Toronto Raptors on the first night of a back-to-back, before they play a nationally televised game against the Detroit Pistons, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Although the Pistons deployed a defensive gameplan based on physicality to slow down Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs emerged victorious 114–103 in their Monday matchup. Although Vembanyama had 21 points, he was only 6-16 from the field. But, Vembanyama still proved effective in other areas of the game, grabbing 17 rebounds and six blocks.

In postgame comments obtained by Omari Sankofa II, Pistons star Cade Cunningham admitted that his team could not adjust to the intensity that Wembanyama brought to the defensive side of the floor.

“We couldn’t figure out Wemby early. We changed a lot of our shots, changed our approach and had opportunities where we found things and did things we wanted to do. He changed a lot of shots and couldn’t figure out his early.”

Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff explained his approach to attacking the Wembanyama-led defense, saying, “You have to go through him, you can’t go around him.” (Duren) did a great job late where he was passing to him. “He’s very smart, very talented…if you allow him to play in space, you have to become more familiar with him.”

Jalen Duren punched Wembley, also committed foulpic.twitter.com/L0xLWKoM9o

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 24 February 2026

Jalen Duren finished the game with 25 points, including a thrilling poster dunk over Victor Wembanyama that went viral on social media. But Duren didn’t get much help offensively, especially as Cunningham finished the game with 16 points and was 5-26 from the field.

But Bickerstaff saw the loss in a broader perspective, noting that San Antonio allowed 18 three-pointers, which ultimately put the game out of reach.

“They moved the ball well, they attacked the rebounds to get those looks. Some of them had mistakes, we gave up strong side corner 3s that we don’t normally do… Credit to them. They played a strong game.”

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle has fired back at the NBA following a $100,000 fine levied against the organization for violating the league’s player participation policy. The penalty comes from a February 3 game against the Utah Jazz, where the Pacers rested four-time All-Star Pascal Siakam on the second night of a back-to-back, which also included Aaron Nesmith, around whom controversy arose.

“I made a statement about it. I didn’t agree with it. There was a league lawyer who was interviewing and he unilaterally decided that Aaron Nesmith who was injured the night before couldn’t catch the ball, he should have played in the game, which seems ridiculous and during the interview process, I wasn’t in it but I heard the details,” Carlisle explained, according to a post on X by Kevin Bowen.

Rick Carlisle opens up about NBA’s $100,000 fine today #pacers: :

Full interview here: https://t.co/1rrz1gO1Ja pic.twitter.com/MgjmZFEPsH

– Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) 24 February 2026

Carlisle then detailed how the NBA refused to consult with team doctors or the player.

“We asked them if they wanted to talk to the doctors, our doctors, about it, because it was something that was documented by our doctors and trainers. They said no, they didn’t need to, they talked to their doctors who didn’t examine Aaron Nesmith. And we asked them if they wanted to talk to the kid. They said no, they didn’t need to,” he explained.

The reality of Nesmith’s physical condition paints a clear picture. The 26-year-old is officially expected to miss at least another week of games due to a sprained right ankle suffered in the recent loss to the Washington Wizards.

While Nesmith previously missed 19 consecutive games due to a left knee sprain, he has been highly productive when healthy, averaging 13.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 33 games, while logging 30 minutes a night. The Pacers’ lack of offense is also bolstered by the fact that their biggest star, Pascal Siakam, has also logged heavy minutes in the absence of Tyrese Haliburton despite Indiana finishing 15-43 in the playoffs.

Siakam has started 52 times, despite the fact that the Pacers are unlikely to advance beyond their 15th-place finish in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night. Chet Holmgren is on the injury report with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams both players listed as probable. Holmgren is dealing with back spasms after scoring 17 points and 15 rebounds in a 111-89 win against the Cleveland Cavs, while Gilgeous-Alexander is recovering from an abdominal injury. Williams is recovering from a hamstring strain. Here’s everything we know about Chet Holmgren’s injury and his playing status against the Raptors.

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Chet Holmgren’s injury status vs. Raptors

Despite the fact that 2025-26 has been Thunder forward Chet Holmgren’s first All-Star season, serious back injuries have cropped up from time to time throughout the year. Given Holmgren’s questionable status for Tuesday’s match, it is difficult to predict whether he will play or not.

As the Thunder continue on their regular season schedule without All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell and possibly Alex Caruso, who missed Sunday’s game against the Cavs with a left ankle sprain. Caruso has been listed as doubtful, as has Holmgren.

Coming off his first All-Star selection, Holmgren has helped the Thunder pick up wins against the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavs on Sunday. He has been the defending champions’ defensive anchor, cleaning up the glass in the paint.

The Raptors upset the Thunder in their last meeting in January. Holmgren finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds in a game where Gilgeous-Alexander was available, as the Raptors defeated the defending champions in a 103–101 victory. The Thunder may have to avenge that loss without moving on.

When it comes to the question of whether Chet Holmgren is playing tonight against the Raptors, the answer is probably.

thunderbolt injury report

Alex Carson – Questionable – Sprained left ankle.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Out – Abdominal strain

Chet Holmgren – Questionable – Lower back spasms.

Ajay Mitchell – Out – Abdominal strain/left ankle sprain

Thomas Sorber – Out – Right ACL/Surgical Recovery

Jalen Williams – Out – right hamstring strain

Raptors injury report

Jakob Poeltl – out – back lower strength; injury management

The Philadelphia 76ers will visit the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night. Joel Embiid is listed as questionable on the NBA’s official injury report. Embiid is dealing with right knee injury management and right calf soreness after missing the team’s last five games.

Of course, injuries have been rampant in the NBA and while the 76ers have had to deal with several big absences, including Paul George’s suspension, the Pacers have had availability issues. Tyrese Haliburton’s absence is further complicated by Pascal Siakam potentially missing the game due to a left wrist injury, according to the official injury report, with several players confirmed to be out for last year’s finalists.

joel embiid injury status vs pacers

Joel Embiid’s status will likely be a game-time decision. Currently sitting at 31-26, the Sixers are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

They recently snapped a four-game skid with a dominant 135-108 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, fueled by Tyrese Maxey’s 39 points and a season-best 56.8% shooting performance from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Pacers (15-43) are trying to snap a three-game home losing streak after a tough 134-130 loss to Dallas, despite Pascal Siakam’s 30 points.

When healthy, Embiid is as effective as ever. The former MVP is averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, while shooting 49.4% from the field.

He has also performed historically well against Indiana, averaging 31 points and 11 assists in 22 career games against them, his highest scoring average against any Eastern Conference opponent. Joel Embiid played in the Sixers’ last meeting against the Pacers this season on January 19 in Philadelphia and scored a game-high 30 points.

76ers injury report

Joel Embiid: Questionable (right knee injury management/right calf soreness).

Marjan Beauchamp: Doubtful (G League – Two-Way)

Paul George: out (league suspension)

Jonny Broom: Out (right knee meniscus tear)

pacers injury report

Micah Potter: Probable (left ankle sprain)

Kam Jones: Questionable (lower back pain)

TJ McConnell: Questionable (right hamstring soreness)

Andrew Nembhard: Questionable (lower back injury management)

Quenton Jackson: Questionable (G League – Two-Way)

Talon Peter: Questionable (G League – Two-Way)

Ethan Thompson: Questionable (G League – Two-Way)

Pascal Siakam: Questionable (left wrist sprain)

Jonny Furphy: Out (right ACL tear)

Tyrese Haliburton: Out (ruptured right Achilles tendon)

Aaron Nesmith: Out (right ankle sprain)

Obi Toppin: Out (stress fracture of right foot)

Ivica Zubac: Out (sprained left ankle)

Things are looking bleak for the Chicago Bulls. They are going through a nine-match losing streak and some of their key players have been injured. One of which is Afernee Simmons, who is out with a wrist injury.

According to Casey Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, the Bulls announced a change to Simmons’ status for Tuesday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets. Although Simmons will not play, his left wrist is bruised, not sprained.

Simmons injured his wrist during Saturday’s game against the Detroit Pistons. He played 14 minutes and scored four points.

Meanwhile, Jalen Smith was listed as “questionable” due to a left calf strain. Smith was ejected in the third quarter against the New York Knicks on Sunday.

Simmons is averaging 15.2 points and 2.8 rebounds during six games played with Chicago. He arrived in Chicago as part of a trade that sent Nikola Vucevic to the Boston Celtics. Before that trade, Simmons had played 49 games with Boston and averaged 14.2 points per game.

The Bulls are 24-34 and have not won a game this month. After Tuesday, Chicago will be at home and close out the month on Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers.

On Sunday, the Bulls begin March at home against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Additionally, Jaden Ivey is out with a sore right knee. Additionally, Jack Collins is out for a year after having toe surgery.

The Bulls once again struggled with a shaky, depleted roster in the second half of the season.

The Boston Celtics continue to defy expectations and head into their matchup against the Phoenix Suns after an impressive win over the rivals Los Angeles Lakers. Brown started and returned with 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, but suffered a minor knee injury, keeping him on the official injury report.

Brown is listed as questionable with a right knee injury according to the official injury report, as the Celtics continue to suffer multiple absences, including Jayson Tatum. Meanwhile, the Suns remain in a tough spot with several players sidelined, including Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks.

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jaylen brown injury status vs suns

Jaylen Brown being listed as questionable introduces some uncertainty for a Celtics team that has relied heavily on his typical two-way production all season long. The All-Star wing is averaging 29.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game, all career highs.

Two-way guard Max Shulga is unavailable due to a G League assignment, while rookie big Amari Williams is considered questionable on assignment. Despite this, the Celtics have won eight of their last nine games and are 37–19.

Phoenix scored just 77 points in their most recent loss to Portland, their lowest total since 2017. Grayson Allen is questionable managing knee and ankle injuries, while leading scorers Devin Booker (hip strain) and Dillon Brooks (left hand fracture) are out, removing more than 40 combined points per game from the lineup.

Jordan Goodwin has been ruled out with a calf strain, Haywood Highsmith is out with a knee injury, and Cole Anthony is unavailable while away from the team. Boston will be the clear favorite against a devastated Suns lineup, regardless of whether Brown suits up or not, which is a game-time decision.

celtics injury report

Jaylen Brown: Questionable (right knee injury)

Jayson Tatum: Out (right Achilles repair)

Max Shulga: Out (G League Two-Way)

Amari Williams: Questionable (G League assignment)

sans injury report

Grayson Allen: Questionable (injury management of right knee and ankle).

Devin Booker: Out (right hip strain)

Dillon Brooks: Out (fractured left hand)

Jordan Goodwin: Out (left calf strain)

Haywood Highsmith: Out (right knee injury management)

Cole Anthony: Out (not with team)

Just days before the All-Star break earlier this month, Kevin Durant took aim at American-born basketball players for not attempting during the NBA All-Star Game.

“You have to ask the European and world teams if they’re going to compete,” Durant said. “If you look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic right now, let’s go back and see what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition? So, we haven’t questioned what they’re doing. But we’re going to question the old heads and the Americans.”

The comments sparked a strong conversation, which was an excuse for both American teams to beat Team World in the new All-Star Game format. Now, he’s continuing his campaign against rhetoric he considers unfair to American players and a subtext that isn’t often talked about in the ESPN report about their playing in the 2028 Olympics.

“That’s a lot of bull—with it. I can read between the lines on that. It’s a shot at black Americans. We’re controlling the game. They’re tired of us controlling the game.

He added, “’France is coming for you.’ Really? We beat up those boys.”

Durant is right, as the 2024 version of Team USA defeated the Victor Wembanyama-led French national team at the Olympics. Team USA has won a gold medal in every Summer Olympics since a shocking bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics.

Durant also said he is not ruling out playing in the LA Olympics in the summer of 2028, indicating that the media has planted a narrative that he and Steph Curry will not throw their hat in the ring.

“You guys, the media, have anticipated this,” Durant recently told ESPN. “Where did that narrative, the last dance thing, come from? I didn’t say I wasn’t playing. LeBron said he wasn’t playing. You didn’t hear that from me or Steph.”

The Charlotte Hornets are set to make the debut of guard Coby White, who is battling a left calf strain. White will be ready for Charlotte when the team takes on the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. He is listed as probable on the team’s injury report.

White used to play for the Bulls, so this will be somewhat of a revenge game for the experienced guard. This season, White is averaging 18.6 points per game. After spending several years in Chicago, he was traded to the Hornets in early February.

Charlotte has a record of 27–31 on the season. The club has lost two of its last three matches.

Kobe set to debut for White Hornets

White played his college basketball at North Carolina, so he’ll be playing in front of a lot of fans in Charlotte. The talented guard has averaged double figures in scoring in almost every NBA season he has played.

White says he was not at all surprised to be traded.

“Every time in my career I was like, I don’t think [it] Was [going to] That’s really what happens,” White said, according to the Associated Press. “But with the circumstances now, you know, a lot of us are coming into free agency this summer. And the team had to go in a certain direction, in a way. So, I wasn’t really surprised or anything like that.

This season with the Bulls, White started 26 games while appearing in 29 contests. He last played on February 3 in a match between the Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks. He scored 21 points in that game.

White is shooting nearly 44 percent from the field this season. His shooting statistics are down from last season, when he averaged over 20 points per game.

Charlotte and Chicago play Tuesday at 8:00 ET. Chicago’s record this season is 24–34.

This weekend we found NBA 2K26 2KTV Episode 21 Answers to help players earn some free VC. For those new to the series, NBA 2KTV is a weekly in-game program hosted by Alexis Morgan and Chris Manning. Overall, the show features a wide variety of content ranging from interviews with actual players and developers, fan highlights, and more. However, we also understand that everyone watches 2KTV to get VCs by answering questions in each episode. So, we have listed all NBA 2K26 2KTV Episode 21 Answers for your convenience.

NBA 2K26 2KTV Episode 21 Answers

1. Keshad Johnson
2. Any
3. nix
4. Anthony Edwards
5. 2023
6. Jalen Brunson
7. Rudy Gobert
8. damian lillard
9. gary payton
10. Truth
11. lakers
12. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
13. Any
14. piston

Overall, this includes all the answers for NBA 2K26 2KTV Episode 21. To answer a question, you simply press the button that matches the answer you want to choose. The questions appear randomly in each episode, so you’ll have to watch the entire episode to find them all. Answering questions correctly in 2KTV usually rewards the player with VC, although sometimes you can earn something more.

New episodes of 2KTV are generally released on Fridays, although there have been exceptions in the past. Additionally, episode lengths vary, depending on the amount of content within the episode.

Luckily, the developers like to give away a few freebies (sometimes more) in each episode. So even if you don’t use any guides, you’ll still earn at least one or more free rewards. So, tune in to 2KTV, because there’s no reason not to earn some free VC.

Finally, for more gaming and NBA news, visit ClutchPoints. Also, subscribe to our gaming newsletter for more weekly updates.

The historic rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics took center stage at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, ending with a disappointing 111-89 loss for the home team. While the game remained competitive for three quarters, Boston fell behind in the final frame, with Jaylen Brown delivering a 32-point masterclass. The Lakers’ frustrations were further compounded when the team was whistled for three technical fouls, penalizing Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart and coach JJ Redick for arguing officiating decisions. Even Luka Doncic, who finished with a modest 25 points, mocked the situation after the game, noting that if he had not been the one receiving the technical, the officiating would have actually been questionable.

The tension centered on a few specific non-calls that left the Lakers coaching staff looking for answers. According to a post from Oh No He Didn’t on X, JJ Redick addressed three technical fouls by highlighting the missed goaltending call on a LeBron James layup.

Redick said Celtics center Neemias Queta used a “stealth” strategy that stunned him. Redick said, “They missed an obvious LeBron layup, which was scored off the backboard, and Cueta stuck his whole hand, I can’t jump that high, so he stuck his whole hand through the rim.”

The coach said he would seek clarification on the legality of the move, joking that “Honestly, it’s a great way to defend floaters.” A separate video surfaced that shows Redick attempting to mimic the reach by holding the rim himself to emphasize the point.

Wow, I didn’t know JJ could jump like that, hahahapic.twitter.com/ccdLWEt7wh

– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) 23 February 2026

Despite the officiating play, LeBron James gave high praise to Jaylen Brown’s ability to keep the Celtics afloat during Jayson Tatum’s absence. James acknowledged that Brown is playing with a chip on his shoulder after the Boston roster was revamped in the offseason.

While James pointed to past friction, particularly Brown’s viral Summer League comments about Bronny James, he said their relationship remains civil and respectful.

For the 34-22 Lakers, the focus now turns to controlling their emotions and finding more offensive consistency as they look to move on from this bitter loss in the rivalry.

The Los Angeles Lakers decided to commemorate the extensive NBA legacy of Pat Riley by unveiling a statue of him before their game against the Boston Celtics. As part of his speech, Riley made sure to encourage the Lakers to “kick some Boston.”

However, with the game going the other direction, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla had a funny reaction when he learned what Riley had actually said.

“Did he really? It’s awesome,” Mazzulla responded with a smile on his face, clearly pleased with his team’s day of work, according to a clip posted on

Joe Mazzulla was upset that he missed telling Pat Riley that he wanted to beat the Celtics:

“that’s awesome.” pic.twitter.com/hzfBgwPgBw

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 23 February 2026

According to a clip on X by Oh No He Didn’t, Riley initially said, “Time to kick some Boston ass.”

Pat Riley: “It’s time to kick some ass in Boston”

celtics vs lakers tonight hahahahapic.twitter.com/VdjsW50kbL

– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) 22 February 2026

Of course, it was the Celtics who did this instead of the Lakers. The 111–89 victory was defined by a two-man offensive explosion from Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard, who combined for 62 points and 16 assists.

Brown, who also earned MVP endorsement from LeBron James after his performance, returned with 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Pritchard returned with 30 points on 10-14 shooting with a total of six three-pointers. The Celtics held the Lakers to 39.1% shooting and just 30% shooting from three, despite the Lakers starting Big 3 of LeBron, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic.

And while the game was largely one-sided, the outcome brought some historic positives for James. The 41-year-old became the first player in NBA history to surpass 43,000 regular season points in his 1,600th career game.

Still, Luka Doncic top-scored for the Lakers, scoring 25 points and five rebounds, while Reaves finished with 15 points and seven rebounds. Despite this, the Lakers suffered from an overall poor shooting night, going just 66.6% from the free throw line, and they had only themselves to blame for the loss.