分類: 综合

On Saturday evening, the New York Knicks got back into the win column with a thrilling win over the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden. Despite falling behind by 18 points in the fourth quarter, the Knicks came back and ultimately won the game, shutting down Houston’s offensive attack.

It was a strong game for Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 25 points with seven rebounds in the win.

After the game, Towns joined ESPN’s Inside the NBA for an interview, and Shaquille O’Neal had an interesting conversation with the Knicks’ big man.

“If you guys win the chip, sure they’ll talk about Brunson, but it’s you and your game. You have to be dominant. You played well,” O’Neal said, according to Hoopsship.

“As long as we get a ring they can talk to anybody about, that’s the most important thing,” Towns said.

“No, you have to play well. You’re part of that 1-2 punch,” countered Shaq.

Towns responded, “Yes, but the main goal is to win, no matter who gets the credit.”

“No, you have to play well to get credit,” Schock said.

O’Neal has long been known to be a critic of centers in today’s NBA, with some fans speculating that jealousy or malice may play a role in his disdain.

Perhaps O’Neal’s ‘me-first’ attitude was part of what made him so effective, but also why he is considered a relative underachiever in recent NBA history, given his natural talent.

Towns, meanwhile, has faced accusations of being “soft” earlier in his career, but he has always put the team before himself, which has continued into his time with the Knicks.

When New York next takes the field against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, it will try to register two consecutive wins.

Jose Alvarado has quietly had a masterful start to life at the New York Knicks, but his comeback against the Houston Rockets thrust him firmly into the spotlight. In just 20 fourth-quarter minutes, the former New Orleans Pelicans man produced eight points, five steals, four assists and a game-best +18 plus-minus, along with a steal on Kevin Durant that resulted in Madison Square Garden booing loudly.

After the game, Alvarado revealed that he and KD were ‘totally in love’ despite the trash talk that happened between them during the game.

Jose Alvarado says there is “total love” between him and Kevin Durant:

“It’s a big brother. He showed a lot of love when I first came into the league. He loves me competing and obviously, he’s a KD. There’s just love, love.” pic.twitter.com/EXOCpZZ4kh

– Knicks Video (@sny_knicks) 22 February 2026

“It’s the big brother. He showed a lot of love when I first came into the league. He loves how I compete and obviously, he’s KD. There’s just love,” he said, according to a clip by Knicks Videos on X.

The Knicks trailed by nearly 16 points when Alvarado entered the game, and his defensive intensity and IQ were immediately on full display. The Knicks outscored Houston 33-15 in the fourth quarter, and much of that swing came from direct ball pressure from Alvarado.

In his five appearances so far, Alvarado has averaged approximately 13.3 points, 4.3 assists and 3.7 steals, while shooting over 55% overall and 37.5% from deep. Alvarado’s obvious impact was also praised by Karl-Anthony Towns, who himself had a big night against Houston.

“They made him feel loved and feel welcomed. I think he reciprocated that energy with his tenacity on the court. Hats off to our fans who welcomed him and gave him the confidence, belief and love to do what he does best,” Catt said, also crediting Knicks supporters for welcoming the point guard.

Karl-Anthony Towns talks about the spark Jose Alvarado gave the Knicks and credits Knicks fans for welcoming him:

“They made him feel loved and welcomed. I think he repaid that energy with his tenacity on the court. Hats off to our fans who welcomed him… pic.twitter.com/biafemEB0E

– Knicks Video (@sny_knicks) 22 February 2026

Regardless, the Knicks as a unit responded with one of their most resilient performances in recent memory, and fans will hope they continue in the same manner as they attempt to compete at the top of the Eastern Conference.

The Dallas Mavericks are in uncharted territory, dealing with injury problems amid a 10-game losing streak that now takes them to last year’s finalists, the Indiana Pacers. However, thankfully, while the Mavs come into this game with a ton of superstars, the same can be said about the Pacers.

To start things off, Cooper Flagg is on the injury report along with several key Mavericks contributors, with the rookie forward out with a medial left hamstring sprain. Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam has headlined a lengthy Pacers report and as per the official injury report, he is listed as questionable with left hamstring injury management.

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Cooper flag, Pascal Siakam’s injury status vs. Pacers

Given that Cooper Flagg has been officially ruled out on the injury report, expect Dallas to once again be without their No. 1 overall pick and primary offensive engine. Flagg has been the Mavericks’ most consistent performer this season, averaging 20.4 points and 6.6 rebounds.

The rookie sat out the Mavericks’ recent 122-111 loss to Minnesota with the same midfoot sprain. Without Flagg, and with Kyrie Irving and Derek Lively II also sidelined, Dallas is surrendering 117.4 points per game and will take some solace from the fact that the Pacers are also shorthanded.

Siakam is listed as questionable. He leads Indiana with 23.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, and his likely absence comes with Tyrese Haliburton already out for the season due to an Achilles tear.

However, many other players from both the teams are also sitting out.

mavericks injury report

Cooper Flagg: Out (middle left hamstring sprain)

Kyrie Irving: Out (left knee surgery)

Derek Lively II: Out (right foot surgery)

Max Christie: doubtful (sprained left ankle)

Daniel Gafford: Questionable (right ankle injury management).

Caleb Martin: Probable (left ankle sprain)

Moussa Cisse: Suspicious (two-way)

Ryan Nembhard: Questionable (two-way)

Miles Kelly: Potential (two-way)

pacers injury report

Pascal Siakam: Questionable (left hamstring injury management)

Andrew Nembhard: Questionable (lower back injury management)

TJ McConnell: Questionable (right hamstring soreness)

Kam Jones: Questionable (lower back pain)

Micah Potter: Questionable (left ankle sprain)

Quenton Jackson: Questionable (two-way)

Talon Peter: Suspect (two-way)

Tyrese Haliburton: Out (right Achilles tear)

Aaron Nesmith: Out (right ankle sprain)

Obi Toppin: Out (stress fracture of right foot)

Jonny Furphy: Out (ACL tear)

Ivica Zubac: Out (left ankle sprain)

The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon. And if the official injury report is anything to go by, the defending champions will go into this match with a significantly reduced staff.

Alex Caruso joins franchise cornerstone Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and forward Jalen Williams as all three are not expected to play, according to the official injury report. Caruso has been officially ruled out due to a sprained left ankle suffered during Oklahoma City’s 105-86 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.

MVP contender Gilgeous-Alexander has been sidelined with an abdominal strain while Williams is out with a strained right hamstring. However, this is not the end of the injury problems for the Thunder, with Ajay Mitchell and Thomas Sorber also unavailable for this game.

The Thunder enter this game as the clear favorites with a record of 43–14. However, they face a team that is most expected to emerge as title contenders, especially after the acquisition of James Harden, who has performed strongly on the floor. Apart from the absences, that means OKC could have a lot going on against the Cavs.

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Injury status of Alex Caruso, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams vs. Cavaliers

Alex Caruso missed Oklahoma City’s 105-86 win over Brooklyn with an injury, and the Thunder will take a cautious approach given his importance. Caruso continues to be one of Oklahoma City’s most destructive perimeter defenders and has the potential to perform well in the postseason.

This injury becomes even more damaging, as Oklahoma City is already without two of its primary offensive creators. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams represent a major part of their offensive threat, which puts more pressure on players like Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.

thunderbolt injury report

Outside:

Alex Caruso: left ankle sprain

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Abdominal strain

Jalen Williams: right hamstring strain

Ajay Mitchell: Abdominal strain/sprain in left ankle

Thomas Sorber: Perfect ACL Surgical Recovery

cavaliers injury report

Outside:

Max Straus: Jones fracture surgery of left leg

Riley Minix: G League Two-Way

Tristan Enaruna: G League Two-Way

The New York Knicks performed one of their most epic comebacks in recent memory in a 108-106 win over the Houston Rockets, overcoming an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns led the way with 25 points, and a spirited fourth quarter saw the Knicks score 33 points while holding the Rockets to just 15.

After the game, Catt elaborated on how he helped his team mount a comeback, claiming that he challenged his teammates to perform aggressively in the final period.

“I have challenged my team to start the fourth down as a challenge. You know, we can win this game and I see us doing that. It starts with the first possession of the fourth quarter playing defense, we have to make stops. It’s the most important possession of the game, the first play in the fourth quarter,” he explained according to a Knicks video posted on X.

“I just challenged our team to make the fourth start”

Karl-Anthony Towns talks about his message to his teammates before the fourth quarter, challenging them to stop to start the quarter: pic.twitter.com/NkwWAwj8kr

– Knicks Video (@sny_knicks) 22 February 2026

Catt, for his part, offered an explanation, claiming that the Knicks were expected to go out in the final period and win.

“And, I also wanted to get that stop on my end. And from that point, you move on. It sets the tone for our team and sets the level of intensity we need to play for because we’re expected to go out and win,” he explained.

KAT helped New York lead a decisive 14–2 run at the end of the fourth quarter, cutting Houston’s lead to two with just over three minutes remaining. But the Rockets’ failure to convert shots also helped the Knicks.

Houston missed eight consecutive shots during the Knicks’ decisive push and finished with 20 turnovers, which translated into 30 Knicks points. Regardless, if KAT set the tone, Jalen Brunson delivered the final blow.

The All-Star guard scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half, including the tying jumper and the go-ahead pull-up that sealed the comeback. Now the Knicks will face the Chicago Bulls.

Brooklyn Nets center Nick Claxton may be sidelined for long due to an ankle injury. Claxton has missed the team’s last two games after injuring an ankle during practice on Wednesday. However, he is available to return during Sunday’s matchup with the Atlanta Hawks.

Brooklyn is in desperate need of frontcourt reinforcements after two consecutive losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Nets’ offense stepped up during their first appearance during the All-Star break. Jordi Fernandez’s team averaged 85.0 points on 35.5 percent shooting from the field and 23.3 percent from three with 16.5 turnovers per game in the pair of losses.

Nick Claxton returns from injury for the Nets after two big losses in a row

With Claxton sidelined, De’Ron Sharp was Brooklyn’s only available center. Rookie first-round pick Danny Wolf, who has spent most of the season on the wing, filled the backup center minutes.

Claxton should get a significant offensive boost upon his return. The veteran big man has had the most productive offensive season of his career, averaging 12.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists on 59.0 percent shooting in 50 appearances.

Wins in the upcoming contests against the Hawks and Dallas Mavericks would undo some of the recent progress Brooklyn has made in the tank race. After three consecutive losses, the Nets have dropped to third in the draft lottery standings. They are in second place, one game behind the Indiana Pacers.

Ziare Williams will be sidelined for Brooklyn on Sunday due to personal reasons. Atlanta will be without Jonathan Kuminga because of a left kneecap injury.

The Hawks have lost four of their last five games, including a blowout 128-97 loss to the Miami Heat on Friday.

Ziare Williams will miss his second consecutive game for the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Brooklyn ruled Williams out of the match with the Atlanta Hawks due to personal reasons.

Williams played 22 minutes during Thursday’s 112-84 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the Nets ruled him out of Friday’s 105–86 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder due to personal reasons.

Williams has played a featured role with Brooklyn’s second unit this season. He has recorded the seventh-most minutes on the team, averaging 9.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game on .407/.313/.859 shooting splits in 39 appearances.

Ziaire Williams missing Nets vs. Hawks due to personal reasons

Ochai Agbaji has seen extended minutes in the Nets’ second unit over the last two games during Williams’ absence. The trade deadline acquisition recorded his best performance of the season on Thursday vs. the Cavs. He posted 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, three rebounds, three assists and one block and 3-of-6 from three in 28 minutes.

Nic Claxton will return from a two-game absence vs. Atlanta due to an ankle injury. The Hawks, who have lost four of their last five games, will be without Jonathan Kuminga because of a knee injury.

After three consecutive losses, the Nets have dropped to third in the draft lottery standings. They are tied in the win column and second in the loss column behind the Indiana Pacers.

After Sunday’s game against the Hawks, Brooklyn will return home for matchups with the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.

The Houston Rockets are suffering a significant identity crisis after several disappointing losses to teams they were expected to beat. This struggle has sparked debate regarding the team’s floor leadership, with many fans and analysts calling for Reed Shepard to be included in the starting lineup. Supporters of the move argue that the Rockets lack a traditional floor general to organize their attack in high-pressure moments. However, head coach Ime Udoka has been steadfast in his refusal to bench Amen Thompson in favor of the newcomer.

Udoka made it clear that no such seismic change is on the horizon, primarily because the team prioritizes a strong defensive identity. While Thompson is considered one of the league’s premier defenders, Shepard has yet to make significant progress on that end of the floor to justify a starting role in Udoka’s system.

This lack of late-game organization was on full display during a narrow 108–106 loss against the Knicks, where even Kevin Durant’s 30-point effort was not enough to secure the win. This collapse has highlighted the same inconsistencies that have plagued Houston all year.

After the game, Udoka expressed his disappointment with the backcourt’s execution. According to Kelly Echo on X, the head coach noted that the ball stopped moving because the team leaned too heavily on the separation play.

Udoka commented that it was a familiar story of losing games this way, saying, “The ball stopped moving, started falling apart too much. Same story – we’ve lost a lot of games like this. I’m telling Amen and Reed to be more demonstrative and get us into our sets; this is not the time to freestyle. Turnovers hurt, but bad offense is just as bad.”

The pressure on these young guards has increased even more after the Rockets decided to stand down at the trade deadline. Despite the glaring gaps in perimeter shooting, the front office has essentially tasked its current roster with fixing these issues internally. It focuses extensively on Reed Shepard, who is currently going through a difficult period of shooting.

If the Rockets really want to stop the freestyling that Udoka has criticized, they will have to strike a balance between developing their young shooters and making sure they are on the floor when the game is on the line.

The Phoenix Suns pulled out a chaotic 113-110 double-overtime win against the Orlando Magic in this Sunday’s NBA game, thanks to a performance from Jalen Green that was both frustrating and heroic. With key contributors like Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks sidelined, Green was forced to take a higher amount of shots, finishing the night with an inefficient 6-of-26 shooting.

Despite his struggles, he remained aggressive, attacking the paint and creating opportunities until the end. When the score was tied at 110, Green caught a pass from Royce O’Neale and hit a fadeaway three-pointer at the buzzer to seal the victory. After the game, Green mocked his mentality during that final play, saying, “At that point, it’s double OT; we just want to go home.”

The bizarre nature of the game caught the attention of notable NBA analyst Bill Simmons. He went on to comment to Simmons’ description of “indescribable” perfectly captured the duality of Green’s night, in which the game was marked by offensive struggles, culminating in her finding the net on the most important shot of the evening.

The clutch moment marks a significant milestone in Green’s season, which has been largely hampered by a hamstring injury that has kept him out of 41 of the team’s first 43 games. Since returning in late January, the Suns have viewed him as a mid-season spark, akin to a trade deadline acquisition.

While his rhythm has been inconsistent, head coach Jordan Ott defended his star’s performance, calling him an “incredible shot maker” and emphasizing how challenging it can be to hit a game-winner after struggling for four quarters. With the win, which snapped a two-game losing streak, Phoenix is ​​counting on Green’s ability to provide high-level scoring as they push for a playoff position in the Western Conference.

It’s been a tough season for the Sacramento Kings, even by their standards.

Coming off a 139-122 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, the Kings have been winless in their last 16 games spanning more than a month. And Charles Barkley, of course, for always speaking his mind. there was no going back When criticizing Sacramento’s terrible play, whether it was 15 or 16 in a row.

“You can’t play 15 good teams in a row… Come on, man,” Barkley said on ‘Inside the NBA’ via Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. “These teams are doing things like the Harlem Globetrotters here (against them). Come on, man. These guys are doing things like the Globetrotters here.”

It’s certainly true that the Kings haven’t played 15 — or now 16 — good teams in a row. In fact, before losing to the Spurs and Orlando Magic, Sacramento played the New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz, both of whom are much closer to competing for the first overall pick than a playoff spot. Despite Utah and New Orleans having the third and second worst records, respectively, in the Western Conference, the result was a pair of blowouts.

On February 9, the Pelicans defeated the Kings 120–94. Two days later, Sacramento also lost to the Jazz, 121–93. During this losing streak, the Kings have not played any team more than once, meaning they have lost to more than half the NBA in a little over a month.

Of course, that’s acceptable for Sacramento, which has its first-round draft pick this year. If that doesn’t happen, losing three players – Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and De’Andre Hunter – to season-ending surgeries in the last few weeks would be the worst news. But for the Kings, it only solidifies that they will have the best chances in the NBA Draft Lottery.

The Kings, who recently set a new record for the longest losing streak in franchise history, can add to that tally on Monday evening when they play the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a five-game road trip.

It’s funny how a team’s record can affect a star’s injury return timeline. If the Boston Celtics were struggling to maintain a playoff position like many expected, fans probably wouldn’t expect Jayson Tatum to play this season. Although Jaylen Brown led the team to second place in the Eastern Conference, the public consensus is that number zero will speed up his recovery process and try to help the C’s win another championship.

Well, one should not jump to conclusions just yet. Despite making progress in his rehab for the torn Achilles he suffered during last year’s playoffs, Tatum isn’t ready to commit to anything.

“I don’t have a return date in mind,” he told the Celtics’ Bobby Manning on CLNS. “I take it one day at a time. I feel better than I did yesterday, and that’s the most important.”

.@RealBobManning Asked Jayson Tatum if he has a return date in mind:

“I don’t have a date… I just take one day at a time. I’m feeling better than yesterday.”
–@CLNSMedia pic.twitter.com/67bsMB4ubj

-Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) 21 February 2026

The four-time All-NBA first-team selection continued during his lengthy recovery. While it’s probably tempting to look toward the playoffs, he realizes the dangers of rushing the process. If Tatum comes back well below full strength he won’t be any help for Boston. Nevertheless, the 2024 NBA champion is still making every effort to reunite with his teammates before the end of the campaign.

Tatum, by his own admission, has participated in “a little 5-on-5”, giving fans some hope that he could get on the floor this spring. If the 27-year-old is able to get fit before the playoffs, the Celtics will immediately become a popular NBA Finals pick. But for now they are doing just fine without the franchise pillar.

Boston has done a great job of staying focused on the task at hand as they continue to win. Speculation will not benefit anyone. C’s head coach Joe Mazzulla himself said: “I don’t live on experience. I live on principle.”

Here’s what we know. The Celtics are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, and Jayson Tatum is getting stronger every day. The fans will take it.

The honeymoon phase is officially over for Daryl Morey in the City of Brotherly Love. After Saturday night’s crushing 126-111 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Philadelphia 76ers faithful have been reached breaking point, and the target of their anger isn’t the players; This is the front office.

With Joel Embiid sidelined, the Sixers’ glaring lack of depth was exposed on national television. The Pelicans outscored Philadelphia 60–35 in the second half, turning a competitive game into a farce.

Tyrese Maxey did his best to keep the ship afloat with 27 points and six assists, but he got little help. Outside of Kelly Oubre Jr.’s 18 points, the Roosters looked hollow, especially on the glass, where they were out-rebounded 52-38.

Daryl Morey on Deadline pic.twitter.com/wTOIx01khz

– Alvin Yakitori (@AlvinYakit52962) 22 February 2026

Daryl Morey and Nick Nurse will soon be fired. pic.twitter.com/dZGVnmKV0H

– Sixers Scope (@SixersScope) 22 February 2026

Daryl Morey passes Jared McCann for a late first-rounder pic.twitter.com/ulFLYeTihA

– Kevin Rice (@TheKevinRice) 6 February 2026

Sellout teammates Josh Harris and Daryl Morey have destroyed this city’s basketball spirit pic.twitter.com/LGxxW9rzPG

– Rodney (@lukatroncic23) 22 February 2026

The lack of activity at the trade deadline has become a lightning rod for criticism. Fans took to social media and the Wells Fargo Center stand to voice their disappointment.

“Trill was chanting ‘Fire More’ like he was the Navy,” one fan said on X.

Sixers fans see Jared McCann flourish after Daryl Morey says “I bet we got traded” during trade https://t.co/DtGWXMbame pic.twitter.com/4LqotjmEEb

– Underdog (@underdog) 21 February 2026

Daryl Morey should be tied up in public and beaten until his buttocks are red https://t.co/kWZl7S9wpq

– Adam (@JMurrayWrld) 21 February 2026

Daryl Morey is actually the devil https://t.co/yf4d5VQg1T

– MastaMunsta (@MunstaMasta) 21 February 2026

Trill was doing the “Fire More” chant like it was the Navy https://t.co/H3hclXONhA

– Uncle Cost Fallacy (@NBABAbySecret) 22 February 2026

fire daryl morey

– Josephine (@china3rdbaseman) 22 February 2026

This sentiment was echoed across the board, with fans questioning the job security of both Morey and owner Josh Harris. One viral post said, “It’s really weird how bad Daryl Morey is at his job,” while another frustrated fan asked, “Why isn’t Josh Harris in jail? And why is Daryl Morey still employed?”

The 76ers have now lost four consecutive games, slipping even further down in the Eastern Conference standings. The overall construction of the roster around the aging and frequently injured Embiid is being questioned. If Moray doesn’t find a way to fix the holes in this ship soon, the “Fire Moray” chants will become louder.

On Saturday, the Chicago Bulls suffered their eighth consecutive loss, falling to the Detroit Pistons 126–110. Despite this, Josh Giddy, who is Recently coming back from a hamstring injuryAchieved a lot.

In this process, Giddi joined likes According to Alyssa Bergamini of 670 The Score, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic are one of only eight players to accumulate 300+ rebounds and 300+ assists this season. Other players include Doncic, Jokic, Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Deni Avdija, Scottie Barnes and Julius Randle.

Overall, Giddy finished his second complete game with 27 points and six rebounds in 27 minutes of play. Additionally, he took 10 wickets for 16 runs from the field. Additionally, he recorded his seventh 25+ point game this year, a career best and leading the team in that category.

Giddy played 21 minutes against the Toronto Raptors on Thursday. He came out with 5 points, five assists and four rebounds. Giddy made only 1 of 6 shots from the field as Chicago lost to the Raptors, 110–101.

Giddy has played 35 games this season and is averaging 18.2 points, 8.7 assists and 8.5 rebounds per game. As a result of the loss, Chicago is now 24–33. The Pistons are now 42-13 and have the best record in the East. On Sunday, the Bulls remain at home to take on the New York Knicks.

Next Tuesday they play at home against the Charlotte Hornets. A game in which Giddy’s former teammate, Coby White, will return After my business with Charlotte. After that, the Bulls will conclude February with a home game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday, February 26.

MIAMI – As the game between the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies began late in the game, a scuffle broke out between Myron Gardner and Scottie Pippen Jr. The game Saturday ended with the home team leading by a score of 136–120. As the Heat look to achieve their individual goals with 24 games left in the season, Norman Powell and Tyler Herro revealed what’s at the top of the team’s list of things to win.

For the past three seasons, Miami has finished in familiar territory, closing in on the eighth seed, struggling to make the playoffs through the play-in tournament. To be out of the tournament race, a team would have to be at least the sixth seed, with the Heat making progress after Saturday’s win and the Orlando Magic’s double-overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns. Miami is now in seventh place at 31-27.

At the moment, the Philadelphia 76ers are in sixth place with 30-26, and the standings may change at time depending on the results of each game. Powell acknowledged after the win over the Grizzlies how “focused” the team is on playing to their strengths and avoiding the play-in tournament.

“We want to get out of the play-in. So we’re locked in, we know what we need to do obviously… no one is going to help us,” Powell said after scoring 25 points. “It’s all on us to control what we can control as a team…to ​​do our best to give us a chance to get out of it and move forward.”

“Obviously, we want [teams] Powell added, “There’s been a little bit of a letdown as we’ve been getting into gear and getting wins. But we’re focused on how we need to play and how we need to compete every night.”

Norman Powell on Heat focusing on exit from play-in tournament: #HeatNation

“That’s what we’re focused on. We want to get out of the play-ins. We’re locked in. We know what we need to do. We’re not expecting anyone to come help us, it’s all on us…” pic.twitter.com/9yF8jHEfd0

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 22 February 2026

What the Heat’s Tyler Herro, Erik Spoelstra talk about all the time

While the Heat are trying to maximize their potential, especially now that the team is the healthiest it has been in some time, although they were without Davion Mitchell and Nikola Jovic on Saturday, it is important to get wins. Miami was also having trouble winning consecutive games to begin 2026, but now, with the offensive boost in Herro’s return after missing a total of 45 games this season, the goal is to clinch at least the sixth seed.

Herro once again came off the bench, and although he scored a game-high 24 points against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, he was not as efficient against Memphis, scoring 14 points. Still, he’s finding his footing after losing 15 straight games before Friday and admitted that besides him and Bam Adebayo, they want to get most of the play-in play out because they’ve experienced it the most, so head coach Erik Spoelstra wants the same.

“Yeah, our coaches talk about it every day,” Herro said, talking about missing out on the tournament. “We as players, mainly me and Bam, who came here, we want to get out of the play-in. That’s our goal, and that’s our first goal. We’ve got a lot of goals.”

Tyler Herro speaks after the game about how he’s feeling after coming back from a rib injury, the team’s depth, how the coaches approach being eliminated from the play-in tournament, and more: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/mFqiBqau9A

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 22 February 2026

If one thing is for sure, Miami seems to be on the rise offensively, scoring over 120 points in the last three games, even as the team has scored at least 70 points in the paint in the last two contests.

“I like what’s been happening offensively the last two games,” Spoelstra told ClutchPoints. “Playing a real collective game, sharing the ball, being aggressive, back-to-back 70-point games in the paint. Taking proper shots, guys are really playing the right way, and you can see it.”

Erik Spoelstra was asked about the offense not missing a beat, although the defense giving up 120 runs is not something he wants to give up every game.

“I love what’s been happening offensively the last two games, playing the real college game…”

Complete answer: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/VaQj1lxed9

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 22 February 2026

Norman Powell on what the Heat are starting to do

Despite a current three-game winning streak against inferior teams like the New Orleans Pelicans, Hawks, and now the Grizzlies, the team has had trouble handling weaker opponents in the past. At any rate, it’s the first time in more than a month that Miami has won three games in a row, leading Powell to tell ClutchPoints how the Heat are “starting to buy into the collective effort.”

“I think now, at this point in the season, all the clutter aside, nothing else matters but winning,” Powell said. “I think that’s the most important thing. And I think we’re really starting to put in a collective effort and trust each other and work on the game. And I think that’s the biggest part.”

“I think obviously we’re finally getting healthy, you know, we didn’t have that [Mitchell] Like tonight, but I think this is the healthiest time we’ve had all year, and we just want to continue to build that chemistry and do all the little things to help us get out of these games and not have any slipups and continue to focus on our goal of getting out of the play-in. [tournament]Powell continued.

Norman Powell was asked about the Heat winning three consecutive games for the first time, and while he joked about it being a shot (laughs), he explained how the team is “starting to buy into the collective effort” and the goal of getting out of the play-in tournament: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/5WOEXWbFUw

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 22 February 2026

Miami is now 31-27, placing them in seventh place in the East as they begin a two-game road trip against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.

Nick Nurse explains why the Philadelphia 76ers faltered in their disappointing loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.

Nurse is in the eighth year of his head coaching career, his third year with the 76ers. He has kept the franchise stable while developing a young and emerging backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, keeping them in the playoff picture this season. However, the team performs poorly in some of its contests, most notably its latest loss to the Pelicans.

Nurse reflected on the loss after the game, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. He pointed to the shooting struggles from beyond the arc, noting how New Orleans took advantage of Philadelphia’s woes.

“We went 3-of-24 from three; Was quite difficult, wasn’t it?” The nurse said.

The Sixers faltered offensively and defensively in the matchup with the Pelicans, where Nick Nurse broke down. | @kia pic.twitter.com/4fw89F9u27

– NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) 22 February 2026

Nick Nurse, how the 76ers performed against the Pelicans

Nick Nurse and the 76ers have the talent to make a splash in the playoffs. However, their loss to the Pelicans shows they still have work to do to reach the next stage.

Four players, including Maxey, scored in double figures for Philadelphia in the loss. He finished with a stat line of 27 points, seven assists, five steals and three rebounds. He shot 9 of 23 from the field, including 2 of 11 from beyond the arc and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line. Kelly Oubre Jr. was next with 25 points and five rebounds, VJ Edgecombe had 14 points and five rebounds, while Quentin Grimes added 11 points and three assists.

Philadelphia improved to a 30–26 record on the season and finished sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, while trailing the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers.

After four consecutive losses, the 76ers will look to get back into the win column in their next match. They remain on the road when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 22nd at 7pm ET.

Tyrese Maxey had a clear message for his Philadelphia 76ers team after their disappointing loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.

Maxi is halfway through his sixth season in the NBA with the 76ers. He worked his way up the ranks to become one of the best guards in the league, helping the 76ers remain steadfast as a playoff contender. However, they are vulnerable to the unexpected loss they suffered against the Pelicans.

Maxey reflected on the loss after the game, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. He commented on how he and the team needed to control the pace from start to finish while dealing with the ups and downs of the competition.

“It’s going to take a lot. You know what I mean. As soon as you dig yourself a hole, only America can get out of it. You know what I mean? Like we’re in this thing together? You know what I mean, through the highs, through the lows, through the peaks, through the valleys. You know what I mean? We’ve said that since day one, and it’s that way. We really Played a good half, then we got off to a good start in the third, honestly. And you know, it’s hard to get that momentum back, but it’s too late.

“It’s going to take a lot.”

Maxi expressed that only the team can dig themselves out of this hole. | @fultonbank pic.twitter.com/vHzTQ45xSt

– NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) 22 February 2026

Tyrese Maxey, how the 76ers played against the Pelicans

Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers will be active in the playoff picture this season. However, their latest loss to the Pelicans leaves questions to answer for them moving forward.

Four players, including Maxey, scored in double figures for Philadelphia in the loss. He finished with a stat line of 27 points, seven assists, five steals and three rebounds. He shot 9 of 23 from the field, including 2 of 11 from beyond the arc and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line. Kelly Oubre Jr. was next with 25 points and five rebounds, VJ Edgecombe had 14 points and five rebounds, while Quentin Grimes added 11 points and three assists.

Philadelphia improved to a 30–26 record on the season and finished sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, while trailing the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers.

After four consecutive losses, the 76ers will look to get back into the win column in their next match. They remain on the road when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 22nd at 7pm ET.

While Scottie Pippen Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies was busy giving his opponents “hugs,” Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra had a much different view of the chaos that occurred late Saturday night.

Following the Heat’s 136–120 win over the Grizzlies, Spoelstra addressed a fourth-quarter brawl in which Pippen and Miami forward Myron Gardner were ejected after falling into the stands. While Pippen claimed he was responding to a “soft” cheap shot, Spoelstra isn’t buying that narrative.

“I don’t know what happened on the three-point shot. I just saw Pippen fall,” Spoelstra told reporters. “I watched the play after that and he looked 95% like Pippen. Let’s see what it is. I love Myron regardless.”

Erik Spoelstra on the scuffle between Myron Gardner and Scottie Pippen Jr.:

“I don’t know what happened on the three-point shot. I just saw Pippen fall down. I watched the game after that and he looked 95% Pippen. Let’s just see what it is. I love Myron regardless.” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/mntJJe8jcU

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 22 February 2026

“95%” Spoelstra refers to the moment Pippen charged Gardner and pushed him into the front row at the Cassia Center with 1:19 remaining. While the physical exchange made headlines, the actual basketball game was a masterclass in Heat culture.

The Miami Heat demolished Memphis with great ball movement, dishing out 36 assists. Andrew Wiggins was the star of the night, scoring 28 points on a nearly perfect shooting performance of 9 out of 10. Norman Powell added 25 points, helping Miami lead the way during a dominant third quarter by 39 points. The win was an important boost for a Heat team that has relied heavily on its depth throughout a difficult season.

The Memphis Grizzlies, playing without Ja Morant, could not maintain momentum despite a breakout performance from GG Jackson, who dropped 28 points. Before his ejection, Pippen Jr. was the only bright spot in the backcourt, finishing with 18 points and six assists.

For Memphis, it was an appropriate response to a dirty play. For Spoelstra and the Heat, it was an unnecessary addition to an already decided game. Regardless of who’s at fault, the rift between these two young players is a story worth watching the next time they meet officially.

The smoke hasn’t completely cleared from the Kasia Center after Saturday night’s wrestling match between the Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat, but Scottie Pippen Jr. is already winning the post-game war of words.

After a chaotic fourth quarter sequence, where Pippen and Miami forward Myron Gardner were ejected due to a scuffle that spilled into the front row, the Grizzlies guards did not back down. talking with 5 reason gamePippen addressed the “cheap shots” that ignited the fuse.

Pippen said, “I thought it was kind of a cheap shot. It hit me when I didn’t see it.” “I thought it was a soft move. I just thought maybe he needed a hug on the other end.”

Scottie Pippen Jr. on his dispute with Myron Garner 👀

“I thought it was a cheap shot. It hit me when I wasn’t looking. I thought it was a soft move. I thought he needed a hug at the other end.”

(via @5ReasonsSports) pic.twitter.com/WyaGIWfI8y

– Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) 22 February 2026

The “hug” in question looked like a forceful push that sent Gardner falling into the crowd with 1:19 left in the game.

The incident overshadowed a clinical 136–120 win for the Heat. Miami’s offense was stellar, led by Andrew Wiggins, who scored 28 points and passed the milestone of 15,000 career points. Norman Powell added 25 points as the Heat shot a whopping 54.5% from the field.

Despite the loss and early exit, the Memphis Grizzlies saw some bright spots. GG Jackson carried the scoring load with a season-high 28 points, while Jaylen Wells finished with 25 points. Before the ejection, Pippen Jr. finished with 18 points, six assists and two steals in just 21 minutes of action.

While the NBA league office is reviewing the tape for possible fines or suspension, Pippen’s “soft move” comments show there is no love lost between these two. Memphis has now lost 11 of their last 14 games, and while they are fighting for their playoff lives, Pippen proved they are not going down without a literal fight.

The San Antonio Spurs were well represented at All-Star Weekend. Victor Wembanyama was voted as the starter for the All-Star Game. Stephen Castle and Dylan Harper competed in the Rising Stars competition, with Harper also being a part of the returning Shooting Stars event. And rookie Carter Bryant, who has recently started playing regularly with the Spurs, was one of the headliners of the slam dunk contest.

Bryant was selected late as a replacement for the Rising Stars Tournament due to an injury to Memphis Grizzlies rookie Cedric Coward. He was impressive during his first All-Star Weekend appearance, showing some of the defensive ability that the Spurs knew they were getting when they drafted him.

In the first Rising Stars game as part of Team Vince, Bryant finished with four points, one rebound and one blocked shot in a little over five minutes. In the second game, as Team Vince won the Rising Stars championship, Bryant finished with five points, one rebound and one steal, while shooting a perfect 2-of-2, including 1-of-1 from 3-point range.

For Bryant, being able to participate in All-Star Weekend as a rookie was a testament to the hard work he has put in since being drafted.

“On my side, I feel like the work I’ve put in is being seen and my teammates have held me to a standard that’s allowed me to perform a certain way,” Bryant told ClutchPoints in an exclusive interview. “Obviously with injuries, it took something for that to happen, but I’m fortunate enough to be in a position where I’ve performed well enough this season, whether it’s the last few games, to get a chance to play in the Rising Stars game. It’s an honor.”

Not only was Carter Bryant given the opportunity to participate in the NBA’s premier weekend, but it was a homecoming for the Spurs rookie. His father D’Sean has been a longtime prominent figure in the Southern California basketball scene, having played in college at Long Beach State before moving into coaching high school basketball.

Bryant grew up in Southern California and played his senior year of high school at local powerhouse Corona Centennial. He also played for his father at Fountain Valley and Sage Hill, two other local high schools. One of the greatest things for him about attending All-Star Weekend was the presence of his family.

Bryant said, “Growing up, All-Star Weekend is everything to a kid, especially when you love the game. The best players in basketball get together and make things happen.” “But for it to be in my hometown, and to be a part of something I’ve always dreamed of, I’m so happy. Just being able to be with my family, being able to have my loved ones supporting me, it means everything.”

And as a local kid, it was former Los Angeles Lakers superstar, the late Kobe Bryant, who provided him with his favorite All-Star memory.

Bryant said, “I would say the one that really stood out was Kobe’s last All-Star Game. Being a Southern California kid, being a kid growing up with Kobe, when he got to the All-Star Game in Toronto last year.” “That whole weekend in general, from the dunk contest to the All-Star Game, having the iconic moments in that whole thing, it was dope.”

Carter Bryant’s having a party with the Spurs

The Rising Stars Game was not the only event Carter Bryant attended during All-Star Weekend. He was also selected for the Slam Dunk Contest. He made it to the final round of the competition where he ultimately lost to Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat.

Although Bryant did not win the dunk contest, he had a good performance overall. He explained how the event has served as a rising party for young players in the past. As he begins his rookie year with the Spurs, he feels like his All-Star Weekend participation could be a springboard for his own career.

“I think the one thing that’s been missing over the years is the swagger and confidence that a lot of the great guys had that originally did it. … It was kind of a coming out party for a lot of guys. A lot of young guys came in, they were really young players, but they wanted to do the dunk contest,” Bryant said, “kind of bringing that energy back to the dunk contest, having confidence in myself that I’m confident in the work that I do. I have a God-given ability because of my athletic talent and being able to display it.”

It was just before the All-Star break when Bryant got his first real opportunity in the Spurs rotation. Selected 14th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, he played consistently during the first few months of the regular season, but did not receive consistent playing time until February.

In the six games played just before the break, he scored in double figures three times, including a career-high 16 points in a blowout win against the Los Angeles Lakers. During that time, Bryant showed signs of being a reliable 3-point shooter. He shot a combined 44 percent from distance, a huge increase from his season average of 32.9 percent.

As far as what it takes to succeed in the NBA, one thing he has learned is patience.

Bryant said, “Patience is everything. I would say that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned. Understanding that not everything is going to be on your terms, what a great lesson that’s been.” “Having good vets and a great coaching staff, being able to sit down with a lot of the guys on the coaching staff… even in the video room, talking to the training staff about how to properly take care of my body. They’ve seen guys who have done this for a long time and had a chance to play 20 years.”

Bryant added, “That’s the ultimate goal, to play a long time and be a great player.” “Being able to pick those brains and not dwell in those moments when you feel like you can’t do anything right.”

But in addition to his offensive abilities, the defensive end of the court has been an area where Bryant has shined in his rookie season. When it comes to the Spurs’ regular rotation players, Bryant is top-10 on the team in defensive rating, according to Statmuse.

Offense in the NBA sometimes comes and goes, and the number of shots and opportunities players get often varies from game to game. But the defensive end of the court, is something that cannot be compromised. Defensively the effort and energy must always be there, no matter how many shots the player attempts.

This is a part of Bryant’s game that he is 100 percent confident he can make an immediate impact on.

Bryant said, “I don’t think you can put anybody in front of me that I can’t compete with. I embrace the competition. That’s what I grew up on. I grew up watching Kobe. I grew up watching those guys attack each other every night.” “When I grew up watching NBA basketball there were no buddy-buddy guys. It’s just the mentality, I’m trying to bring the understanding that every night is an opportunity to show what you’re made of.”

At the time of the All-Star break, the Spurs were in second place in the Western Conference standings, and were being mentioned among potential title contenders. As it stands, they are 40-16 in the West, have won eight straight games and are only two and a half games behind the No. 1 seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.

Players always have goals they want to achieve during the season, especially young players who are experiencing the NBA for the first time. But not Bryant. For him, all personal things will come in time. Right now, it is about maximizing his potential to help the team win.

Bryant said, “Making the playoffs, and with the talent that we have and the team that we have, we’re capable of making the finals. I think we’re there. I think we have a lot of guys that really work to their potential, and I think we have a good balance of vets and young guys.” “We all go to work understanding what the chances are for us as a team. I think that’s the thing for me, I’m not worried about any individual things.”

Bryant added, “Things like this come with time and come with winning.” “Winning is the first priority.”

Basketball games can be heated, but things reached a boiling point in the final minutes of Saturday night’s NBA contest between the Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat.

With only 1:19 remaining in the fourth quarter and the game well out of reach, Memphis guard Scottie Pippen Jr. and Miami forward Myron Gardner were both ejected after a physical altercation broke out in the front row.

Scottie Pippen Jr. and Myron Gardner were both ejected for this altercation. pic.twitter.com/3q2Sy5SMrb

– NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) 22 February 2026

The friction began when Gardner gave a “cheap shot” from behind as Pippen released a 3-pointer. Pippen did not take the contact seriously, immediately attacking Gardner and pushing him toward the stands of the Cassia Center. The two wrestled briefly on the floor before coaches and officials could separate them.

Before the fireworks, the Heat put on a clincher, earning an impressive 136–120 victory. Andrew Wiggins led the way with an incredibly efficient 28 points on 9 of 10 shooting, even reaching 15,000 career points during the third quarter. Norman Powell added 25 points of his own, helping Miami lead 39–26 in the third quarter.

The Grizzlies, still playing without star guard Ja Morant due to an elbow injury, struggled to find a defensive rhythm. However, young forward GG Jackson provided a bright spot, exploding for a season-high 28 points.

Before his exit, Pippen Jr. had a productive night off the bench, scoring 18 points, six assists and two steals in 21 minutes. Jaylen Wells also scored 25 points for the Grizzlies, but it was not enough to overcome Miami’s 36-assist performance and hot shooting.

The loss marked the 11th loss in 14 games for Memphis, while the Heat improved their standing in the Eastern Conference. Both players now face the possibility of a fine or suspension as the league reviews tape of the corner wrestling match.

The Phoenix Suns prevailed 113-110 at home against the Orlando Magic on Saturday after Jalen Green’s game-winner at the buzzer in overtime. With the score tied at 110 and the Suns in possession, Green caught an inbounds pass on the move from Royce O’Neale, firing a sharp shot from the corner that found the bottom of the net.

Jalen Green’s game-winner at the buzzer snapped a two-game losing streak for the Suns, which went back to before the All-Star break. He finished with 19 points, five rebounds, six assists and one steal in 37 minutes of play. He did not have the most efficient night, shooting only 6 of 26 from the field, including 2 of 11 from the 3-point line. But his last shot in OT was the biggest.

After missing 41 of the Suns’ first 43 games due to a hamstring injury, Green returned to the lineup in late January. However, he was still troubled by injury problems and played in only five of the Suns’ games just before the All-Star break.

In the Suns’ first game after the break last Thursday, Green returned to the starting lineup and played a little more than 26 minutes in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He had 26 points, three rebounds, two assists and three steals in that game.

With Green not seeing a majority of play in the first half of the regular season, his return to the Suns rotation was almost like a trade deadline acquisition in itself.

Coming into Saturday’s game, Green had appeared in eight games for the Suns at a rate of just over 16 minutes per game. He averaged 13.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists with splits of 42.7 percent shooting from the field, 37 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 84.6 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

The Orlando Magic suffered a 113-110 double-overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night when Jalen Green knocked down a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end a back-and-forth contest. After the loss, Paolo Banchero identified three key issues that proved decisive: foul trouble, turnovers and second-chance opportunities.

Banchero finished with 26 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and four blocks in 47 minutes. He shot 11 of 28 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line, while helping Orlando push the game into two extra periods.

After the final shot, Banchero described his advantage in the decisive game.

“I wasn’t on the ball so my focus was on protecting the inbounder. I didn’t really see much, just turned my head and the ball was in the air.”

While the game ended on Green’s shot, Banchero pointed to circumstances that developed long before the final possession. Orlando lost Desmond Benn and Wendell Carter Jr. to foul trouble, while Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs were unavailable due to injury. Suggs was ejected shortly before Saturday’s contest.

“I don’t mean ideal, but [I] Thought we played hard, I didn’t think we made enough plays down the stretch they did – a little more than we did and yes, definitely a little bit of a loss. Now! [a] Tough game.”

Turnovers, offensive rebounds tilt game toward Suns

Ben had one of his strongest performances of the season, finishing with 34 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block, before fouling out. He shot 12 of 18 from the field, 5 of 9 from 3-point range and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line in 40 minutes. Carter added seven points, 11 rebounds and one assist while shooting 2-for-4 from the field and 3-for-3 from the line in 34 minutes.

Beyond the foul trouble, Banchero emphasized Orlando’s ball security and inability to control the glass.

“Obviously we got hurt. We knew they were a big second-chance points team and they crashed the glass very hard. They did a great job of, you know, getting themselves a lot of extra possessions, getting a lot of dagger threes off offensive rebounds, so [it] “We are definitely hurt.”

The Magic committed 16 turnovers, including six from Banchero, leading to 22 Phoenix points. Orlando also surrendered 22 offensive rebounds and allowed 23 second-chance points, with the Suns scoring 8 of 23 on those extended possessions.

Jamahl Mosley says little things add up in big ways in Magic defeat

Coach Jamahl Mosley reiterated Banchero’s evaluation, noting the cumulative impact of lost possessions.

“We gave ourselves a chance. It happens within a game – guys are going to foul out, foul trouble is going to happen. There are going to be injuries throughout the season. You have to give Phoenix a lot of credit, but it was a back-and-forth battle. But in a game like this, it’s about the little things and the little details. We can’t do it more than 16 times for 22 points and also have 22 offensive rebounds. Can’t give up. Can’t come back. But our guys fought till the end, obviously, despite the situation. The best thing about the league is you have to turn around and do it again.”

Mosley also credited Green for the decisive shot.

“He had a helluva shot. I think there was some separation on that baseline, maybe he got thrown off his route, he did a helluva job of coming back and countering it, but Jalen Green hit a helluva shot. You’ve got to give him credit for that.”

Paolo Banchero turns his focus to Clippers after 2OT loss

The Orlando Magic now focus on the second night of their four-game road trip, visiting the Los Angeles Clippers (27-29) on Sunday at 9:00 p.m. on NBA TV. Banchero said many of the lessons from Saturday’s loss will carry over into the match.

“Yeah, Clippers [are] A good team, they made some trades. They look a little different, but I think it puts a lot of emphasis on the same thing that killed us tonight, hitting the glass, crashing very hard as they defend. Yes, just have to be ready for the challenge, they are a good team, good guys there so yes, it will have to change quickly.

Los Angeles has bounced back from a 6-21 start to the season despite a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. The Clippers reshaped their roster at the trade deadline, trading James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and sending Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Benedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks and a second-round selection.

For Orlando, the margin for error is small. As Banchero underlined, foul trouble, turnovers and second-chance points proved decisive in a game decided by a single possession.

PHOENIX – Jalen Green hit the game-winner for the Phoenix Suns in a 113-110 double overtime win against the Orlando Magic on Sunday, turning a perhaps forgettable performance into an unforgettable one.

Despite hitting 6 of 26 shots from the field, his final performance was the most important. A fadeaway corner 3-pointer that sealed the win.

Teammates rushed him, shit broke out in the Mortgage Matchup Center, and what could have been disappointment for the Phoenix faithful turned into pure glee.

When Green walked into the press conference room, he was surprised that it was his first NBA game-winner. But winning the game may not have been the only thing on his mind as he prepared to take the final shot.

At that point, it’s double OT, we were just trying to get home,” Green joked. “But like I said, my teammates, my coaches kept talking to me all night. Just keep shooting. It doesn’t matter what the last shot is.”

When I asked Jalen Green why he didn’t think too much about taking that last shot on a tough night of shooting, he joked.

“At that point, it’s double OT, we’re just trying to get home.”

Continued: “But like I said, my teammates, my coaches talked to me all night long. It’s just… pic.twitter.com/Lxw0JF4Qs4

– Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) 22 February 2026

Originally, the play was designed for Colin Gillespie. However, head coach Jordan Ott said Green had told Royce O’Neale to look for him if there was room.

It’s safe to say there was, and the rest is history. As mentioned earlier, he took 26 shots, but most of them were his normal looks. Despite Green’s obvious frustration, he continued taking his usual shots.

Every single property being promoted is something that can never be taken for granted. There must have been a good portion of game-winners in it.

Jalen Green’s game-winner shows irreplaceable impact for Suns

With Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks and Jordan Goodwin sidelined Saturday, someone had to step up. Green wasted no time in taking matters into his own hands.

Early in the game, he seemed to settle for perimeter shots. However, as the game progressed, he attacked the paint more often and opened up shooting pockets for his teammates.

One thing remained the same: He was getting to his spots and attempting the shots he always does. Although some fans were not happy, his shot-making is what makes him stand above the rest.

“I think it’s pretty normal when you miss that many games,” head coach Jordan Ott said when asked about Green’s streak and game-winner.

“You’re not able to practice, not be able to get into much rhythm … but what’s hard is to go through that and then hit a shot like that. He’s an unbelievable shot maker, unbelievable scorer. That’s what those guys do.”

Jordan Ott said @Amanda_Pflugrad That he still has full confidence in Jalen Green after tonight’s performance.

“I think it’s very normal when you miss so many games. You don’t get to practice, get a lot of rhythm… but what’s hard is to go through that and… pic.twitter.com/p1rUPFRA7v

– Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) 22 February 2026

His irreplaceable influence grew even more on Saturday. He could see his minutes reduced or he might not play at all if the Suns play in back-to-back contests on Sunday.

Despite this, he would likely sink his first game-winner within moments.

In the NBA, veteran leadership usually comes with “welcome to the league” moments, but the New Orleans Pelicans are flipping the script.

After an impressive 126-111 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night, Pelicans rookie Derrick Queen decided to give 17-year veteran DeAndre Jordan a taste of his own medicine. Jordan, who made a rare start after appearing in only two games all season, was in the middle of a postgame interview when Queen “hijacked” the mic with a hilarious flurry.

“So how does it feel to not play since November and get us a win tonight?” Queen joked about the veteran’s 52-game DNP (Did Not Play).

“So how does it feel to lead us to a win tonight after not playing since November?”

Derrick Queen makes jokes while hijacking DeAndre Jordan’s postgame interview

(via @nba)pic.twitter.com/pewzSxQ277

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 22 February 2026

While Queen told jokes, Jordan had the last laugh on the court. With the Pelicans missing several key rotational pieces, head coach James Borrego turned to the 37-year-old center to lead the defense.

On Saturday, the Chicago Bulls faced the Eastern Conference’s best team, the arch-rival Detroit Pistons, at home. A game in which Josh Giddy and Trey Jones were back in action and healthy Recent battle with hamstring injuries.

In the first half, the Bulls kept pace with the powerful and overall healthy Pistons. During the second quarter, Giddy, Jones and Isaac Okoro worked together Quite a game to execute, according to the Chicago Bulls. With the Bulls trailing by four, 45-41, Giddy caught the ball at the other end. He laughed it off even to Jones. Then, Jones delivered a no-look bouncer to Okoro, which ended with a layup.

This play is by Giddy, Trey and Isaac 😮‍💨#marine red | @CHSN__ pic.twitter.com/5aHd13Y5mj

– Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) 22 February 2026

Chicago entered Saturday’s game on a seven-game losing streak. Their record is 24-32, while the Pistons are 41-13. Giddy played his second complete game since returning from injury.

He is averaging 18.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Jones is averaging 12.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He is also playing his second full match after recovering from injury. Additionally, Okoro is averaging 9.0 points per game and shooting a respectable 46.7% from the field.

since the bulls made seven dealsThey have been surrounded by guards. Apart from these three, there are also Matas Buzzelis, Rob Dillingham, Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simmons and Collin Sexton. Therefore, there is very little playing time among these people.

On Sunday, the Bulls will play their second consecutive home game against the New York Knicks.

On Saturday, Kevin Huerter returned to Chicago as part of the Detroit Pistons against the Bulls. This was his first comeback with his former team after Was part of a three-team deal Includes the Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves. A deal that would send Jaden Ivey from the Pistons to the Bulls.

Before the game, Huerter said for the first time According to Casey Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, about the impact of seven trades made by the Bulls.

“We’ve been sitting at .500 all year,” Huerter said. “It could have gone either way. As players, you have to expect everything. But in seven trades, I don’t know if I expected this.”

In the subsequent quote, Huerter described the change Experiencing its second consecutive mid-season trade.

“Change is always hard. But coming to a team that is No. 1 in the East and competes hard, it definitely makes the job easier on the court.”

Huerter came to Chicago last season As part of another three-way trade That sent Jack LaVine to the Sacramento Kings. Additionally, the Bulls received Huerter and Trey Jones from the San Antonio Spurs and Zach Collins from the Kings.

This year, Huerter is averaging 10.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. So far, he has played four games for the Pistons and is averaging 4.3 points per game. Meanwhile, he is out due to back stiffness.

The Pistons entered Saturday with a 41-13 record, the best record in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Bulls are 24-32 and on a seven-game losing streak.

The San Antonio Spurs enter Saturday’s game against the Sacramento Kings looking to extend their seven-game winning streak. Early in the first quarter, Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was doing his best to throw down an incredible slam dunk after deceiving Kings big man Maxime Renaud.

This game occurred when the Spurs were already leading by double digits, 16–6. Victor Wembanyama caught the ball on the wing, dribbled into the paint, pretended to spin left, only to go right and throw down a slam dunk.

However, at the time of publication, the Kings had managed to mount a comeback midway through the second quarter and tie the game. Spurs will need more plays like Wembanyama’s to maintain their winning streak.

Wembanyama is coming off his second consecutive All-Star selection after being voted as a starter. As part of the league’s new format, he represented Team World, which lost both of its games in the round-robin tournament due to early exits. After the All-Star Game, Wembanyama was outspoken about his competitiveness and desire to win on All-Star Weekend.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Wembanyama is already one of the top five players in the NBA. With a unique blend of size, speed, strength and skill, that’s why his ‘Alien’ nickname makes sense.

Heading into Saturday’s game, he had appeared in 41 games this season, averaging a little over 28 minutes per game. He averaged 24.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.7 assists while splitting 51 percent shooting from the field, 36.1 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 81.2 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

MIAMI – As Miami Heat star Tyler Herro returned from his rib injury with a dominant 128-97 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, there’s no denying the guard has given the team a big boost. The Heat are looking to maximize their lineup now that Herro is in the mix, as chemistry appears to be building between the star and rookie Kasparus Jaksionis.

There are a couple of guys on the team who still haven’t figured out how much time Herro has missed, as he’s been absent not only 15 games prior to Friday’s win, but 45 games total with a myriad of issues. The saving grace is that the rookie Jacusionis is getting extended minutes at some point, either off the bench or in the starting lineup.

Since January 15 against the Boston Celtics, Jaksionis has recorded double-digit minutes in every game, showing the trust he has built with head coach Erik Spoelstra. On Friday, with both Herro and Jacusionis on the floor, there was a strong one-two punch in the backcourt as the rookie put the star in spots to score, also drawing the attention of Spoelstra, who saw a “rapport” blossoming.

“Obviously, we haven’t seen a lot of them, just because of availability, but the skill level, the talent, the offensive talent, just without spending a ton of time with them, you can see how the synergy could be,” Spoelstra said before the team took on the Grizzlies on Saturday night. “Kaas [Jakucionis] Is a playwright. He plays with speed, he wants to kick the ball forward, he wants to get the ball to people almost to a fault, and you could see that last night, he was looking for Tyler like every time.

Erik Spoelstra last night when Tyler Herro and Kaspars Jaksionis were on the court together: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/j6YsK8eKpl

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 21 February 2026

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra talks Kasparus Jaksionis’ improvement

While Jaksionis has some unique attributes for the Heat, as he was drafted with the 20th overall pick in the last NBA Draft, he gives the team a true point guard with potentially elite play-making abilities, an ideal the roster is looking for.

At just 19 years old, there’s no denying the raw talent, however, as Jacusionis is recording consistent minutes, averaging 22.7 minutes so far in February. His improvement from his first season has been noticeable, with even Spoelstra talking about the Illinois product’s “work ethic.”

“So I’m excited about the prospects, but Kass continues to get better,” Spoelstra said. “If you look at where he was in summer league compared to where he is now, it’s really a credit to his work ethic. He spent a lot of time with Coach Quinn and all the pre-practice and post-practice sessions. You know, he’s improved a lot. He’s earned it.”

It remains to be seen what Jakusionis’ role looks like with the team getting healthy, though with Davion Mitchell missing Saturday’s game due to a head ailment, the rookie will also get a start over Herro as the team manages minutes following the star’s injury. Nevertheless, Herro led the Heat throughout the game with 24 points on nine of 14 shooting from the field and two of four from deep.

At any rate, the team is looking for continuity, as prior to Saturday’s tilt hosting Memphis, the team was 30-27, which puts them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Next, the Heat move on to take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.

The Chicago Bulls were given serious news on Saturday. center zach collins Will be out for the rest of the season. the reason is Causes of long term injury to toe Which will require surgery.

Head coach Billy Donovan, before the game against the Detroit Pistons expressed a wish For Collins to return next season. According to the Chicago Bulls, he is playing the final year of his contract.

“I think there are two sides to this,” Donovan said. “When a guy is in free agency, there’s a financial part to it, and then there’s the player, the make-up, the character. It’s hard for me, just not being in the conversation with a lot of people, to really know what a guy’s value is, so to speak, financially.”

“I know this from my perspective [value] It’s about winning. [When] He’s healthy and he’s out there, he’s a really good player for us, and I really like him. So, from that standpoint, I’m just hoping everything works out to get back here next year, because I’ve got a lot of respect for him as a teammate and a worker. Just his mentality, his toughness.”

Collins is completing what remains of his two-year, $34.8 million contract. This was a deal he signed with the San Antonio Spurs. A deal that was later accepted by the Bulls.

Collins played ten games this season. He averaged 9.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. His last appearance was on December 27 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Collins came up with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds in the 112–103 loss.

Although he’s still one of the best pure scorers in the game today, Kevin Durant understands he doesn’t have much time left in the NBA. He would soon become a great player who would be forced to experience the game away from the hardwood. When a player enters the final stages of his career, he gets better appreciation from those who came before him. The Houston Rockets superstar got a chance to chat with one such person ahead of Saturday’s showdown with the New York Knicks.

Durant hugs Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing inside Madison Square Garden. Ewing rose to stardom in those parts by spending four years at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. in the 1980s before becoming head coach of the Hoyas in the late 2010s.

Kevin Durant is stamped in The Garden 🤝 pic.twitter.com/pASZROOGcI

– ESPN (@espn) 22 February 2026

New York – The New York Knicks have a complicated relationship with the Detroit Pistons. The young Pistons group completed their 2026 regular season sweep of the Knicks on Thursday night, bringing both teams back to similar circumstances from last season, which culminated in a first-round playoff win for New York. However, team captain Jalen Brunson no longer wants to rely on last year’s results.

“It’s a new year,” Brunson told reporters at Madison Square Garden after the Knicks’ 126-111 loss.

The young Detroit group, led by a jumbo playmaker and consisting mostly of serious specialists in defined roles, is reminiscent of the New York squad led by Julius Randle. But, to borrow Jay-Z’s paradox in his early 2010 rap masterpiece, Brunson has helped transform these nicks from “underpaid” to “overrated” in recent years.

It is believed that New York is closer than ever to the championship. But Cade Cunningham’s Pistons are lovable underdogs who upset the NBA hierarchy with surprising road wins. And on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks contenders were caught at the beach.

The Pistons were missing Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, both of whom were suspended after a fight with the Charlotte Hornets. It didn’t make much difference to Cunningham. His 42-point, eight-rebound, 13-assist performance overshadowed Brunson’s 33 points, six rebounds and eight assists on 60% field goal shooting.

Detroit’s regular season success did not help them in last year’s playoffs against the Knicks. But these pistons seem to work with larger cylinders. The proverbial engine of their offense, Cunningham, has leveled off. With this he can take his teammates to even greater heights.

The Knicks have work to do before the end of the season if they want to repeat last year’s playoff results against teams like the Pistons. They have reached the required heights many times, but often step back after reminding themselves that they can do the same.

Bridges ends another close game on the Knicks bench

Thursday’s loss to the Pistons was another close game that Mikal Bridges watched from the bench. The Knicks made only eight of their 35 attempts from behind the 3-point arc, with only four different players getting shots to fall. Brunson and Landry Shamet were the only two Knicks to score more than one, each knocking down three times during the 15-point loss.

Two of the 3-pointers made by Shamet came in the last eight minutes of the fourth quarter, when he was on the court in place of starter Mikal Bridges. It’s important for the versatility of the Knicks’ scheme that starters like Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns don’t mind being benched in favor of red-hot role players. But head coach Mike Brown said Shamet closed out on Bridges because the team needed to score. It wasn’t a strong endorsement of the two-way wing who signed a four-year, $150 million extension with a player option for the 2029-30 season.

“Landry hit some shots. We needed to score. They’re both really good guards. And so I stayed with Landry. But it wasn’t like, ‘Oh, I’ll sit Mikal because he’s not doing that, or he’s not doing that.’ We were looking to score points. And Landry was the only guy to make a shot from behind the arc, the coach said through some nervous laughter.

A key part of the Knicks’ journey this upcoming postseason will be striking a balance with respect to the participation of their star players — and what they bring to the table in games where shots aren’t being funneled their way. While the Browns made it clear that the late-game benching was not Bridges’ fault but a situational adjustment, it is on Bridges to give the coaching staff no choice.

Bridges did not ask to be traded for five first-round picks. He didn’t force the Knicks to offer him $150 million and a player option. But the ball is in the 29-year-old’s court as to how he chooses to respond to this adversity. His confession after the game in Toronto was a great start. New York can’t afford to be this outlier.

MIAMI – As Miami Heat star Tyler Herro returned from a rib injury in a 128-97 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday after missing 15 straight games, the team was the healthiest it has been, arguably, all season. As the Heat look to maximize their full roster to their potential with 25 games left in the season ahead of Saturday’s showdown against the Memphis Grizzlies, head coach Erik Spoelstra talks depth.

It has been a recurring trend that Miami’s injury report would be full of issues, with Herro at the forefront as he has missed 45 of the 57 games played so far. But after a much-needed All-Star break, the team dominated with a healthy roster, possibly displaying winning ways from the beginning of the season.

Despite the myriad of injuries, Spoelstra has touted the team’s depth, and even though it’s only one game, he said Friday’s win had a different feeling.

“I have a lot of positive feelings about our team and our depth, we’ve used it all season,” Spoelstra told ClutchPoints before Saturday’s game. “We’ve used it when guys have been out, and last night was an example of that when we had our full roster, you could feel the depth. You could feel the level of talent, you know, that we have on the roster. It’s just one game, but we have to keep building and stacking up. I have no problem with our guys feeling great about the game after the break, and now we have another one that’s behind us. And we want to build some continuity.”

Erik Spoelstra was asked if last night was a glimpse of how he envisioned the team going into the season because it was the healthiest he has ever played.

“You can feel the level of talent that we have on our roster, it’s just one game, but we have to keep developing…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/4SKbWumWJs

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 21 February 2026

Tyler Herro puts the spotlight on the Heat’s “legitimate” strength

With the return of the Heat’s star in Herro, it has given the team a chance to see which rotations work and which don’t, although there is still work to be done. Especially when it comes to Herro and Norman Powell, and when Herro came off the bench in his first game, the two only played three minutes together.

Still, others, such as Kel’El Ware, Kaspars Jaksionis, Jaime Jacquez Jr., Pelle Larsson, and others benefited from a healthy roster. Spoelstra even talked about how Miami has “legit depth” after the win.

“We have legitimate depth, we’ve been talking about it all year,” Spoelstra said after Friday’s win over the Hawks. “But when you have players out, the depth is used to fill players out and fill some gaps. But when we have everyone available, we look a lot different. It’s a game, but it’s something we’ve felt about our team for a while. We have our guys available right now.”

There’s no doubt that helps someone like captain Bam Adebayo, who was carrying more weight than usual due to the uncertainty over who would or would not be available.

“You love a team that has that much depth,” Adebayo said after recording 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists in Atlanta. “Because now you have different guys that can step up at any time. And throughout the rest of the season and going into the playoffs, you’re going to need that.”

Although Davion Mitchell and Nikola Jovic are out for Saturday, the team’s health is headed in the right direction.

At any rate, Miami looks to win out as the team is 30-27, eighth in the Eastern Conference, before Saturday’s home game against the Grizzlies.

SAN FRANCISCO – Among the stars the Golden State Warriors are credited with developing, hockey player Maclin Celebrini may turn out to be one of the most talented players of them all.

The son of Golden State vice president of player health and performance Rick Celebrini, the 19-year-old Maclin has achieved superstar status in the NHL for the revamped San Jose Sharks and Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. This is a miraculous achievement that not only has the hockey world excited, but the entire Warriors organization is also cheering him on.

Before Celebrini and Team Canada’s highly anticipated gold medal match with Team USA, Dubs coach Steve Kerr spoke at length about the kid’s inner excitement as he watched him shoot hoops after practice with his dad and some of the players.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Kerr said. “Yesterday, in the film session, half our team was watching the last two minutes of the game, because it was 2-2. It was 10 o’clock, and we had to start the film, and we were like, ‘No, we’re gonna see what happens.'”

What happened was that Canada was leading Finland in the final minutes of the third period, and Celebrini finished with a team-high 25:53 TOI – an incredible feat for a young player.

But before becoming the youngest NHL player on Canada’s men’s Olympic team, Celebrini was on the hardwood when he wasn’t training on the ice. Kerr recounted several occasions when Maclin and his brothers would play 2-on-2 full court at the Dubs facilities after practice. You read that right, 2-on-2, full courtWith his mother, Robin, jumping as the fourth player to do the same split.

“You want to see an athletic family working out,” Kerr said with a laugh. “That’s one of the fun parts of the job, seeing the families be a part of it…it’s one of the best parts of the job. When we finish the game, every game, win or lose, we open the doors to the family room, and the kids come in in droves, and it’s awesome.

“I sit in my office, I have a beer, and I look down, and I see these little pickup games happening with our players’ kids and the coaches’ kids. People are running around and players are coming out, hugging their kids like it’s a special profession, you know, being able to share that with their kids and they have, you know, memories to last a lifetime, but also good perspective for everybody.”

Whether Kerr and the Warriors saw early signs of what Celebrity would become is debatable. For Moses Moody, who recalled the time the two spent over the summer rehabilitating their personal injuries, he always knew Celebrini was destined for greatness.

“You know that trend that was going on with LeBron? Telling how he knew from the beginning?” Moody smiled. “Yeah, when I first came here, I saw him and he had that look in his eyes! And I said he’s going to do that—no, I’m kidding.”

Although Moody may not have the vision that LeBron James has when it comes to Maclin, he is quickly making an impact on his youngest brother, RJ.

“Actually, his younger brother, the youngest brother. I talked to him for a while, and really, he has this quiet confidence and competitiveness, composure. I’m saying it already. I see something; got a look in his eyes. But even in Mac – he’s got that quiet confidence… Being around him, he doesn’t overdo it. But you can tell he’s working. He’s precise in conversation, you can just tell when someone is a thinker, More of a talkative type of person.”

In that vein, Kerr compared Celebrini’s maturity and leadership to that of another superstar—Stephen Curry. Kerr described intangible things you can’t teach. There’s no limit to where those traits can take him. But if you ask Gary Payton II, he believes Celebrini can enshrine his name among the greats.

“I think he’s eventually going to be one of them when it’s all said and done, like Wayne, Sid, Alex, Mac,” Payton said. “It’s exciting to see it from the beginning. [We’ll] Let’s see where it goes, and it’s going very, very well right now… I’m definitely supporting Mac.”

Even with the incredible opportunity to be with Team USA tomorrow on the global stage, Celebrini is just getting started. But for a Warriors organization that saw one of their own truly develop into the star everyone looks up to today, that’s a special, special thing.

“Everyone is busy, especially the people who have been here a while, who know Rick and Macklin and the family very well,” Kerr said. “So it’s been great to see it all develop. And to see the pride in Rick’s eyes and hear it in his voice, it’s amazing.”

NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is no longer backing the New York Knicks to win the Eastern Conference, shifting his support to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

During ESPN’s Inside the NBA broadcast on Friday night, Barkley announced he was no longer choosing New York over coming out of the East.

“I’m changing my choice Ernie. I told you all I thought the Knicks were coming from the East… the Cleveland Cavaliers are coming from the Eastern Conference,” Barkley said.

Cleveland has improved its position after trading with the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire James Harden in exchange for Darius Garland at this season’s deadline. The Cavaliers extended their winning streak to seven games with a 118-113 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, improving to 36-21 on the season. Cleveland is now in third place in the Eastern Conference, just one game behind the second-seeded Boston Celtics.

Since arriving in Cleveland, Harden has averaged 18.4 points, 8.6 assists, five rebounds and one steal per game, while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 48.1 percent from three-point range in five contests in 31.8 minutes per game.

“The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming out of the Eastern Conference,” – Charles Barkley 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/xF7XkMXzuG

– ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) 21 February 2026

Charles Barkley moves East pick as Cavaliers lead ahead of Knicks matchup

Harden’s presence coincides with increased production from center Jarrett Allen. Over that same five-game span, Allen has averaged 22.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and one block while shooting 76.3 percent from the field in 30 minutes per contest. For the season, the 27-year-old is averaging 14.9 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 62.7 percent in 45 games.

Meanwhile, New York has experienced a strong stretch of its own despite Barkley’s transfer. The Knicks went 10–3 from late January to early February, including an eight-game winning streak. However, they dropped to the fourth seed after a 126–111 loss to the NBA-leading Detroit Pistons, falling to 35–21 on the year.

The two Eastern Conference contenders are scheduled to meet during New York’s upcoming three-game road trip. The Knicks visit Cleveland next Tuesday at 7:30 PM ET on Peacock.

With the Cavaliers gaining momentum and climbing the standings, Barkley’s revised prediction underscores how rapidly the Eastern Conference hierarchy has shifted in the weeks since the trade deadline.

Two years away from having the 12th pick in the 2024 draft, Oklahoma City Thunder executive vice president and GM Sam Presti has both prospects — Nikola Topic and Jared McCann — he backed up Mark Daigneault. The timing of both guards could not have come at a better time. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is out with an abdominal injury, Ajay Mitchell hasn’t played since January, and Jalen Williams will be reevaluated in March.

Losing three of its leading scorers shows that Oklahoma City is unable to get close to its 119.4 point average without its reigning MVP and two of the Thunder’s top four scorers. It’s a good thing Presti parted ways with a 2026 first-round pick and two future seconds at the trade deadline to acquire a young guard he’s had his eye on since McCann’s 2024 pre-draft workout with the Thunder.

Presti also trusted the 19-year-old Serbian prospect with an old-school approach to the point guard position despite suffering a season-ending ACL injury. Presti was fine with the debut of Topch, who was selected by the Thunder at No. 12 in 2025-26. Back then, no one could have predicted what would happen after the Thunder preseason games. Now, McCain and Topic are both playing in Oklahoma City at unexpected times in their respective careers.

Jared’s trade to the Philadelphia 76ers made him cry. The subject is four months away from a cancer diagnosis. This was all unexpected, but they both fit like a glove into the Thunder’s offense. McCann’s ability to make open threes and create space gives Daigneault another scorer to utilize. Topic gives the Thunder a secondary playmaker who can score quickly off the bench, which he has already proven in the first two games of his NBA career.

It’s another win for coach Mark Daigneault and Thunder GM Sam Presti amid the defending champions’ quest to win back-to-back titles.

Jared McCann scores season-high in Thunder vs. Nets win

Second-year guard Jared McCain has made at least one 3-pointer in each of his five appearances with the Thunder. He’s also efficient at connecting on 9 of 20 (45%), including half of his six 3-point attempts in a 105-86 win against the Nets. McCain led the Thunder with a season-high 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting, four rebounds and one steal. And his presence has also had a positive impact on the defending champion’s supporting cast.

Isaiah Joe, who has missed at least two threes in five consecutive games, extended his streak to six to 11 points as his hot streak continued in Friday’s win against the Nets. Joe shot a career-best 41.7% clip from deep this season. However, that percentage has increased to 55.8% with McCann making 19 of 34 attempts in the five games since his arrival.

Still, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault reminded reporters it’s not all about shooting with McCain and Joe, as their increased roles amid Oklahoma City’s injuries have elevated them to do other things that help win.

“It’s not the only thing they do,” Daigneault said. “Jared is a guy that – he’s dynamic offensively – there’s a lot more to his game than spot-up shooting. You could see it tonight. Again, Isaiah Joe rebounded the ball great tonight. We play short games with him on the court, even though he’s a light guy because he’s good physically, he executes, and he gets his nose in the ball to make plays.

“It’s not just taking advantage of the shooting. It’s being able to put them out there because of the other skills they bring. But, yes, we have optionality, and that’s what you want. You never know what you need. You never know who’s going to do well. We obviously try to lean into that with changing rotations and lineups, and they definitely give us more options,” Daigneault concluded.

Since McCann joined the Thunder, Joe has averaged 15.8 points on 49.4% shooting, including 55.8% from deep, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.

“We all have a role to play, and we all know it, and he’s done a great job of helping me with that. I think once we get the ball moving, we can all create shots for each other. Once we get the ball moving, good things are going to happen,” McCain said. “[We’re] This becomes known as we move forward. It’s hard to do it without those people. “However, we are figuring it out.”

Nikola Topic’s playmaking wraps up Thunder’s win

While Jared McCann and Isaiah Joe’s scoring gave the Thunder double-digit relief, Nikola Topic, in his second NBA game, closed the door in the final frame with playmaking, shooting and smooth finishing at the rim. For coach Mark Daigneault, the Thunder’s theme is a traditional pure point guard with a pass-first mentality, and the confidence to score when he sees fit.

Daigneault says Topic is proof of what’s missing in the NBA modern day point guard During the Thunder head coach’s postgame media availability on Friday.

“There aren’t a lot of real pure point guards in basketball anymore. There’s incredible skill, but there’s not a ton of traditional team runners, those guys, and that’s it: He can run your team,” Daigneault said. “He’ll settle you down to ground level. He understands what we’re trying to achieve, even at this very early stage of his career, and he’s got the ability to go along with it.

“He’s still got a long way to go. Offensively he’s got a lot to learn in terms of getting the edge, reading different coverages that he’s going to see as the league gets to know him a little bit; it’ll be a new challenge for him. But he’s off to a great start.”

Topic finished with nine points, three rebounds and two assists in 11 minutes, as the rookie guard is finding his feet in the early stages of his career. Still, Daigneault feels his team will benefit from the influence of both McCann and Topic amid the Thunder’s title defense.

PHOENIX – Another name could be added to the Phoenix Suns’ injury report during the first quarter of Saturday’s game against the Orlando Magic. Dillon Brooks got hurt and went back to the locker room.

He was seen grabbing a handful of objects with his left hand, especially after shooting the ball. Before leaving the game, he had five points and three rebounds on 2-7 shooting from the field.

With Brooks missing the last Suns game due to a league-mandated one-game suspension, many were eager to see him on the court. Even Brooks himself seemed excited to be there.

Needless to say, he has only missed seven games this season. Health is money at this stage of the season and losing it would be a big loss.

We will update this story with more details.

The Chicago Bulls received some unfortunate news ahead of Saturday’s game against the Detroit Pistons. Jayden Ivey, who was originally listed as questionable, will not play due to a knee injury. Additionally, Zach Collins, who is out with a toe ligament injury, will not play again.

But the matter goes further than that.

On Saturday, ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel confirmed that Ivey and Collins would be out for the long term.

Ivey will be reevaluated within two weeks. Meanwhile, Collins would undergo surgery, ending his season.

The Bulls say Jaden Ivey will be reevaluated in two weeks after being diagnosed with left knee soreness.

Zach Collins will undergo season-ending surgery on his right big toe. pic.twitter.com/BICG5veNOq

– Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) 21 February 2026

The Bulls are 24-32 and on a seven-game losing streak. On Thursday, they lost their first game after the All-Star break to the Toronto Raptors, 110–101. Meanwhile, they will face a 41-13 Pistons team, the best team in the Eastern Conference. Also, the Bulls will play the New York Knicks on Sunday.

Ivey came to Chicago as part of a three-way trade with the Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves. A deal that would send Kevin Huerter to Detroit. Ivey has played in 4 games with the Bulls and is averaging 11.5 points and 4.8 rebounds.

Additionally, Ivey is recovering from recent knee surgery that delayed the start of his season with Detroit.

Meanwhile, Collins has not played in a game since December 27 against the Milwaukee Bucks. In that game, he had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds as Chicago lost 112–103.

Since then, Collins has missed a total of 26 games and an entire month. Overall, he has played 10 games this season and averaged 9.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He also shot 57.8% from the field.

Anthony Edwards once again looked close to his best performance against the Dallas Mavericks as his 40 points helped them suffer their tenth consecutive loss. At the same time, Ant wasn’t the only superstar to score 40 points, with Cade Cunningham also coming back with 42 in the Detroit Pistons’ recent win over the New York Knicks.
And as it turns out, ANT took inspiration from the Pistons’ main man.

“I actually do this shit in my sleep… I woke up today and I knew I was about to turn 40. I saw Cade [Cunningham] Go for 40 and I said bullshit, that means I have to go for 40 too,” Edwards revealed after the game, according to a clip on the X posted by ClutchPoints. Not only did the Timberwolves star watch his fellow young superstar put in one of the best performances of his career, but he also used it to push himself.

“I actually do this shit in my sleep… I woke up today and I knew I was about to turn 40. I saw Cade [Cunningham] Go for 40 and I said nonsense, that means I should get 40 too.”

Anthony Edwards on his huge game last night against the Mavs 🔥

(via @timberwolves)pic.twitter.com/zAAudJn61B

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 21 February 2026

The Timberwolves won 122–111 as Edwards scored 40 points on 16-of-30 shooting with five threes and six rebounds, his eighth 40-point game of the season. This included 14 points in the fourth quarter, showing the same kind of efficiency Cunningham showed a few days earlier.

Cunningham proved exactly why he previously said he loved playing at Madison Square Garden. The Pistons guard had one of his most complete games of the season, posting 42 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds on 50% shooting in a 126–111 win over the New York Knicks.

Cunningham scored 14 points in the first quarter and even had a stretch where he scored 11 consecutive points for the Pistons, who extended their run to 41–13, best in the Eastern Conference.

And yet the biggest contribution may have come in the form of inspiration provided by ANT, who responded with a memorable night of their own. The All-Star MVP returned to familiar form with Minnesota’s third consecutive win.

They will now face the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

Phoenix Suns forward Haywood Highsmith recently credited the Miami Heat for helping shape the foundation of his NBA career, citing the organization’s culture and daily standards as crucial in his development.

Highsmith talked about the impact Miami has had on his development as a professional during his media availability on Saturday.

“The Heat were really the first team to give me a chance. I learned a lot there defensively, action-wise, how to behave every day as a professional and that really helped me in the long run. Obviously, I built some good character throughout the league and a lot of people respect me.”

Highsmith spent parts of several seasons with Miami, playing a role as a versatile wing capable of guarding multiple positions and spacing the floor. Last season with the Heat, he averaged 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 74 games, including 42 starts. He shot 45.8% from the field and 38.2% from 3-point range while logging 24.6 minutes per contest.

Haywood Highsmith on what he learned playing in Miami

“The Heat were really the first team to give me a chance. I learned a lot there defensively, about work and how to behave every day as a professional. It helped me in the long run… I built good character… pic.twitter.com/VqXoLg4gD0

– Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) 21 February 2026

Summer experience with Suns shapes Haywood Highsmith’s veteran presence

After the Brooklyn Nets waived him, Highsmith signed a two-year veteran minimum contract with Phoenix. The 29-year-old is currently recovering from surgery on his right knee to repair a torn meniscus in August. Shane Young of the Suns’ official site reported that Highsmith would be re-evaluated in two to three weeks.

Highsmith also outlined what he believes he can bring to the Phoenix locker room as he works toward returning to the court.

“I think overall, just bringing that winning aspect, that experience, and just knowing what it’s going to be like every day — like I said, the playoff moments, the huddles, the timeouts, and being there for the young guys here as well as I was in Brooklyn. I was a leader there so I’m trying to bring whatever I can and be a good vet, a solid vet.”

The Suns (32-24) are looking for stability as they navigate the second half of the season. Phoenix will attempt to snap a two-game skid when it hosts the Orlando Magic (29-25) on Saturday at 2:00 pm PT on NBA TV.

Highsmith’s experience in Miami’s playoff environment and his reputation as a steady defender could provide additional depth once he returns to full health.

Phoenix Suns all-time leading franchise scorer Devin Booker has been one of the most active Nike Basketball athletes to make a splash wearing his own player-exclusive sneakers on the court. At each game, Booker wears a new signature shoe tailored to his tastes and occasion, which is sometimes released to the public and at times remains exclusive to Booker. Recently, he wore his Nike Book 2 sneakers in a Texas Longhorns-inspired colorway.

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

Following the massive success of the Nike Book 1, which debuted in early 2024, it was only a matter of time before Booker and Nike teamed up for a signature follow-up sneaker. Leaks finally surfaced and the Nike Book 2 was revealed, taking serious inspiration from the classic Nike Air Spiridon running shoes.

The Suns had visited the San Antonio Spurs just days earlier to renew their rivalry from the 1990s. Booker paid tribute to the city of Austin, Texas, and the University of Texas Longhorns by wearing the burnt-orange colorway of his signature sneakers for the first time. While Phoenix lost the game 121–94, Booker was easily wearing the cleanest shoes on the court.

Nike Book 2 “Texas” PE

Devin Booker takes out a new orange Spyridon-inspired Nike Book 2 against the Spurs 🟠 pic.twitter.com/RlJ5lkR7UA

– Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) 20 February 2026

The D’Bucs pulled out a new Nike Buc 2 PE against San Antonio pic.twitter.com/vPXSF3CfVQ

– Complex Sneakers (@ComplexSneakers) 20 February 2026

Debuting the new sneakers, we see a bright orange Nike Swoosh as the hallmark detail, which plays into the Texas Longhorns theme and offers a perfect match for the Suns’ color scheme. The Spyridon-inspired mesh upper comes in neutral white and black to further accentuate the orange Swoosh. The shoe is based around a black and white midsole and outsole, making it one of the cleanest Book 2 PEs we’ve seen recently.

Although there’s no word of an official release behind this special PE, fans shouldn’t be surprised if this remains an exclusive to Booker’s growing collection. However, there have been a few times that one of his PEs has come out as a public release, so there’s always a chance to see Booker’s shoes on retailers’ shelves.

What are your thoughts on this latest Nike Book 2 colorway?

The NBA announced Saturday that Rudy Gobert has been suspended one game without pay after earning his seventh flagrant foul point of the 2025-26 regular season.

The league’s announcement came after the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 122-111 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night at Target Center. Gobert entered the game with six flagrant foul points and was assessed Flagrant Foul 1 with 29.8 seconds remaining in the second quarter. The violation added one point to his point total, bringing it to seven points and triggering an automatic suspension under the league’s regular season flagrant foul point system.

“Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has been suspended for one game without pay for earning his seventh flagrant foul point of the 2025-26 regular season, it was announced today by Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations James Jones,” the NBA said in a statement.

Under NBA policy, a player who exceeds a total of five flagrant foul points during the regular season receives an automatic suspension. A player who commits Flagrant Foul 1 at five or six points is subject to a one-game suspension, while more serious fouls at a higher threshold result in increased discipline.

The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/lk88UZj5ZU

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) 21 February 2026

Rudy Gobert suspended after impressive performance as Timberwolves prepare for 76ers

The 33-year-old Gobert turned in one of his most efficient performances of the season before the foul. He finished with 22 points, 17 rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal while shooting 9-for-11 from the field and 4-for-8 from the free-throw line in 32 minutes.

In his fourth season with Minnesota, Gobert has averaged 11.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 70.6% from the field in 55 appearances. He is playing 31.3 minutes per contest as a key defensive anchor for the Timberwolves.

Minnesota (35-22) will be without Gobert when it hosts the Philadelphia 76ers (30-25) on Sunday at 4:00 pm PT at Target Center. The game concludes the Timberwolves’ six-game homestand before beginning a three-game road trip on Tuesday against the Portland Trail Blazers (27-30) at 7:00 pm PT on Peacock.

Gobert will be eligible to return after completing his one-game suspension.

The San Antonio Spurs released several injury updates ahead of Saturday’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings as they prepare to continue their strong effort atop the Western Conference standings.

San Antonio (39-16) will host Sacramento (12-45) at 5:00 pm PT, looking to extend their current seven-game winning streak to end a two-game homestand. Meanwhile, the Kings enter the contest trying to break a franchise-record 15-game losing streak.

According to the Spurs’ injury report released on Saturday, Harrison Ingram (G League – two-way) and Stanley Umude (G League – two-way) are listed as questionable. David Jones Garcia (G League – Two-Way) is out. Veteran center Mason Plumlee is also out of his return to competition. Lindy Waters III is listed as questionable with left knee hyperextension.

Spurs list Lindy Waters III questionable, Mason Plumlee out vs. Kings

The 28-year-old Waters last appeared in San Antonio’s 112-103 win over the Orlando Magic on Feb. 1. He played two minutes in that contest and recorded a turnover as his only statistic. In 28 games this season, Waters is averaging a career-low 1.9 points in 6.8 minutes per game, while shooting 35.2 percent from the field and 31.9 percent from beyond the arc. His current usage rate also marks a career low.

Plumlee, 35, joined the Spurs on a 10-day contract after being traded from the Charlotte Hornets to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a deal involving Ousmane Dieng and later being waived by Oklahoma City. The veteran center last played on December 22 in a 139–122 loss to Charlotte, finishing with five points and five rebounds on 2-4 shooting in 10 minutes. He later underwent surgery to treat a right groin injury and was sidelined.

In 14 appearances this season, including two starts, Plumlee is averaging 1.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 8.9 minutes per game, while shooting a career-high 75 percent from the field.

With several rotations and depth pieces to deal with injuries, the Spurs will aim to keep the momentum going against a struggling Kings team to stop their skid.

The Los Angeles Lakers last faced the LA Clippers in the 2025–26 regular season, and as those matchups usually are, it also lost. And while LeBron James was there to close out the game, Kawhi Leonard was forced to leave late with an ankle injury.

James finished the night with 13 points, three rebounds and 11 assists on 5-of-13 shooting for the Lakers, who defeated the Clippers 125–122. Kawhi Leonard produced 31 points, four rebounds and five assists on 11-of-19 shooting in 31 minutes of play before departing with 5:10 remaining in the fourth quarter.

After the game, LeBron James was asked about Kawhi Leonard and his resiliency to come back from injury and perform at an All-Star level.

“Kawhi is amazing, man,” James said. “He’s the best. He’s one of the best players ever. And I couldn’t care less about injuries. Those things, you can’t control. You can only control the guys, and the things he’s controlling is how he comes back and how much perseverance he has every time.”

In 42 appearances this season, Kawhi Leonard is averaging 27.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game, while shooting 49 percent from the field, 37.8 percent from three and 90.7 percent from the free throw line.

His strong play throughout the season, but especially since mid-December, has been a big reason why the Clippers have been able to climb out of the 6-21 hole they started the season with.

“He’s a – that guy is amazing,” LeBron James continued. “I swear. I have nothing but good things to say about Kawhi and the kind of basketball he’s been playing the last few months. I mean, he’s been the same for a season. I’m not surprised by this. On another note, I was disappointed on the 2024 Olympic team when he wasn’t able to go with us. I was hoping to make the team with the ‘Whee’ as well. I was a little disappointed about that when he had to deal with another injury. Spent some time with him, but listen, he’s great. He had 31 points in 12 minutes. Obviously, I could talk about him all night.”

I heard LeBron James speak incredibly highly of Kawhi Leonard when I asked him about the resiliency he saw in him:

“Kawhi is amazing, man. He’s the best. He’s one of the best players ever. I couldn’t care less about injuries… That guy is amazing. I swear I don’t have anything… pic.twitter.com/GipDxoJRfX

– Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) 21 February 2026

Kawhi Leonard has dealt with a number of injuries in his career, from a torn ACL to a torn meniscus, not to mention quad and knee inflammation difficulties, in recent years.

LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard have not played 40 games against each other – 28 in the regular season and 12 in the playoffs. Leonard has won 15 of those 28 regular season games and seven of those 12 playoff games.

James and his Miami Heat won the 2013 NBA Championship against Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs. Leonard and his Spurs defeated James and his Heat in the 2014 NBA Finals.

The New York Knicks released their latest injury report on Saturday ahead of their matchup against the Houston Rockets, listing several players with designations as the team prepares for tipoff at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

New York (35-21) will host Houston (34-20) at Madison Square Garden while managing a report that includes one confirmed absence and several questionable designations largely tied to G League assignments and two-way contracts.

Miles McBride is officially listed out with injury/illness as he recovers from pelvic-related core muscle surgery. The 25-year-old guard last appeared in the Knicks’ 103-87 win over the Sacramento Kings on Jan. 27. He recorded nine points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals while shooting 4-for-11 from the field and 1-for-6 from three-point range in 30 minutes.

Before surgery, McBride was enjoying the best season of his career. In 35 games with 14 starts, he averaged 12.9 points, 2.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 43.4 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range in 28 minutes per contest.

Multiple Knicks listed questionable as team looks to bounce back against Rockets

The Knicks also listed Pakom Dadiot (G League – on assignment), Trey Jamison III (G League – two-way), Dillon Jones (G League – two-way), Tyler Kolek (G League – on assignment) and Kevin McCullers Jr. (G League – two-way).

The 24-year-old Kolek last appeared in New York’s 138–89 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 11. He finished with three points, three assists and two rebounds while shooting 1-for-4 from the field in 10 minutes. In his sophomore season, Kolek averaged 4.9 points, 2.9 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 48 games with one start, shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three-point range in 13.3 minutes per game.

New York enters Saturday’s contest hoping to bounce back from a 126-111 loss to the NBA-leading Detroit Pistons, who improved to 41-13 with Thursday night’s win.

Following the Rockets matchup, the Knicks begin a three-game road trip Sunday against the Chicago Bulls (24-32). Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 8:00 pm ET.

Saturday’s meeting will feature the league’s two top teams in their respective conferences, with both clubs entering the loss column just one game apart.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault was amazed by rookie Nikola Topic, who he says helped his team earn a 105-86 win against the Brooklyn Nets. Topic finished with nine points and two assists, shutting the door on the Nets in the final frame.

To Daigneault, Topic is one of the NBA’s rare pure point guards, he explained during his postgame media availability, as the Thunder head coach really impressed By playing in Topic’s only second game.

“There aren’t a lot of real pure point guards in basketball anymore. Incredible skill, but traditional team runners, not a ton of them, and that’s what he is: He can run your team. He’ll organize you on the floor. He understands what we’re trying to accomplish, even at this extremely early infant stage of his career, and he has the passing to go with it.

“He’s still got a long way to go. Offensively he’s got a lot to learn in terms of getting the edge, reading different coverages that he’s going to see as the league gets to know him a little bit; it’ll be a new challenge for him. But he’s off to a great start.”

Mark Daigneault says Nikola Topic is one of the few “pure point guards” left in the NBA: “There aren’t a lot of true pure point guards in basketball anymore…

And that’s what he is: He can run your team. He will settle you to the top. He understands what we’re trying to do… pic.twitter.com/tHcweGPdys

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 21 February 2026

Daigneault put Friday’s performance into perspective, reminding reporters that Topic is still in the early stages of his NBA career, despite the rookie’s impressive debut following an ACL injury and testicular cancer diagnosis.

Daigneault said, “This is his second NBA game. So, it would be unfair to really evaluate him in this context.” “But, he’s obviously a really good player. He has a really good feel for the game. He goes out there and treats it like it belongs to him. He shoots threes. He’s not afraid to drive.”

Subject went 4-for-6 from the floor, including 1-for-2 from deep. He also grabbed three rebounds in 11 minutes off the bench.

Nicola Topic reflects on ‘amazing’ Thunder win

In only his second game, Thunder rookie Nikola Topic helped his team clinch the win by outscoring the Nets in the final frame of a 19-point win at the Paycom Center. Jared McCain’s season-high 21 points off the bench led the Thunder in scoring. However, in his second game, Topic addressed the media in his first postgame press conference of the season.

Topic took time out to thank Thunder fans for their warm embrace during his NBA debut last week.

Topic said, “Amazing moment. I’ll remember this for the rest of my life – thanks to the fans.” “Definitely, I will remember it for the rest of my life.”

Still getting back into the swing of things Topic, who hadn’t played a basketball game in nearly two years, said it took him a while to get used to playing again.

Topic continued, “It was weird at first. I’m just getting back to the game experience again.” “I was out for a while. It was very weird coming back. I was finding myself doing things I had never done before. It was pretty hard to adjust to, but every game was better. The first game in the G League. The second game was better. The first game here was OK. The second was better. But I think it will only get better.”

The Thunder will host the Cavs on Sunday.

Jayson Tatum’s return to the court is in the near future. The Boston Celtics are currently the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference behind the Detroit Pistons, with a chance to advance them before the regular season ends. The Celtics will want home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, and with Tatum returning, they’ll have a ton of momentum.

Tatum is working to recover from his Achilles tendon injury. These injuries are occurring frequently, but many have not been able to bounce back as better players. Tatum is looking to avoid those obstacles.

On Saturday, the Celtics posted some photos of Tatum at practice, and one photo of him going viral as he was being defended by Luka Garza.

Another day of work pic.twitter.com/EJD0iT58rP

– Boston Celtics (@celtics) 21 February 2026

There aren’t too many images or videos of Tatum playing against contact. He has been attending games and practicing for a long time, but the superstar is still making progress. There is no legitimate report of his return this regular season, but if the Celtics really want him back this season, it would make sense for him to debut before the playoffs.

Chris Haynes revealed what Tatum told him recently. “I’m trying to come back… I don’t know if that’s the case or not,” Tatum told Haynes.

Tatum tore his Achilles tendon in May 2025, so a return in less than a year would be incredible for him. The playoffs don’t start until mid-April, so Tatum still has plenty of time to work his way back and make a final decision on whether he’ll return this season or next.

Deandre Ayton will probably never take the next step in his career. He may just be an impressive center who falls short of true stardom. The Los Angeles Lakers and their fans understand what kind of player the 2018 No. 1 pick is, but they want him to play with obvious energy and happiness. He certainly did that during a thrilling third quarter sequence in Friday’s thrilling 125-122 win against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Austin Reaves made a great outlet pass to LeBron James, who immediately passed the ball to Ayton. The alley-oop extended the Lakers’ lead to 14 and electrified the home crowd at Crypto.com Arena, but it also demonstrated the impact the 27-year-old big man can have when his instincts are right. He ran the court beautifully and read James’ eyes perfectly, and the end result was a big play that gave LA tremendous momentum (at least for a while).

Ayton was incredibly grateful to be a part of such a rhythmic experience on the basketball court, and it will stay with him for a long time. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, he said of the fast break, “It was one of the highlights of my career.” “I needed that.”

LeBron James throws it for Deandre Ayton SLAM 🍿😤

pic.twitter.com/1WyeV5zYCL

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 21 February 2026

Deandre Ayton could be the X-factor on this team. If he can be at full strength, the Lakers should be a legitimate championship contender. But which version of the Ayton will appear on the floor?

The former Arizona Wildcats star recorded a modest 13 points and seven rebounds against the Clippers. His scoring is naturally going to be down with offensive dynamos like Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reeves, but he can still make a noticeable difference on the glass.

Ayton is posting a career-low 8.4 rebounds per game (his minutes are down a bit, but on a per 36 minutes basis the statement is still true). The Lakers grabbed 40.9 boards per contest, which ranked 28th in the NBA. They need to be stronger in the paint.

He has averaged a double-double in his career. This is not a role player. Now is the time for him to remind everyone what he is capable of achieving. Perhaps Alley could be the harbinger of a Deandre Ayton renaissance.

Obviously this drama left an impact on him. Los Angeles (34-21) will look to build on that lead when they host the Boston Celtics (36-19) this Sunday night.

Miami Heat star Tyler Herro made an explosive return from a rib injury, scoring his game-leading 24 points to help the team defeat the Atlanta Hawks, 128-97, on Friday night. The guard will be coming off the bench in his first game. As the Heat guard Herro looks to excel over the remainder of the season, head coach Erik Spoelstra talks about Herro’s role with 25 games remaining.

Herro was impressive in his debut as he had missed the previous 15 games due to a “right costochondral; rib injury”, which began when the guard fractured three ribs on January 10. Although he played in three games after taking Torodol shots to suppress pain, he missed time, which led to Spoelstra coming off the bench on Friday, saying he was managing his minutes and trying to “maximize” the rest of the season.

“Right now we’re trying to get him out of there,” Spoelstra said, according to The Miami Herald. “We’re going to manage the minutes. I’m not thinking too much about it, I’m not putting anything into it, I don’t have a timeline for anything.”

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra fit in with Tyler Herro and Norman Powell

After Herro returned to Heat practice on Thursday, it cannot be denied that the team is relatively cautious as the guard has missed 45 of 57 games this season due to numerous injuries.

Herro also had to come off the bench in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 6 after returning from a 13-game absence due to a toe injury. But Herro returned to the starting lineup in the next game, which could indicate a similar outcome for the current situation.

He and Powell had an interesting pairing early in the season, but on Friday they had to run in different lineups, with the two playing less than three minutes together. But, Spoelstra says those two will need to spend more minutes together, as Powell also emphasized the “versatility” of the two fitting together.

“It’ll work,” Spoelstra said about playing Herro and Powell together. “I’m not thinking too much about it at all.”

It remains to be seen how Herro’s role develops, especially with Norman Powell, as Miami next faces the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.

The Minnesota Timberwolves picked up a 122-111 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night. It was a strong performance from Anthony Edwards, as he looked to be in great form after the All-Star break. However, immediately after the win, Edwards revealed that he missed the chance to dunk Daniel Gafford.

During an interview after the game, the 24-year-old shooting guard claimed that he felt fresh and seemed happy with his performance. But he admitted he should have dunked on Gafford. Edwards also sent a message to the Mavericks center.

“I should have dunked on Gafford,” Edwards said. “I hope you see it. I should have punched your ass, but I saved you.”

Anthony Edwards to Daniel Gafford 👀

“I should have dunked on Gafford. I hope you saw it. I should have punched your ass but I saved you.” pic.twitter.com/QKQpveYG0g

– NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) 21 February 2026

Anthony Edwards led the way for the Timberwolves with 40 points, six rebounds and one assist. He accomplished that statline while shooting 53.3% from the floor and 38.4% from beyond the three-point line. The four-time All-Star looks as good as ever and is ready to lead Minnesota in the final stretch of the regular season.

Edwards may be having the best season of his career so far. Through 47 games played, the six-year veteran is averaging 29.5 points (career-high), 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, while shooting 49.4% field goal percentage (career-high) and 40.1% three-point percentage (career-high).

It appears the Timberwolves are getting hot at the right time. With the club sitting in sixth place in the Western Conference, Minnesota is 7-3 in their last 10 games and is currently on a three-game winning streak. We’ll see Anthony Edwards and his teammates in action again on Sunday when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers at home.

In their second game of the post-All-Star break road trip, the Orlando Magic will travel west to face the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon. Despite the weeklong break, both teams are still dealing with some injuries, most notably to guards Jalen Suggs and Grayson Allen, who are both listed as questionable. Here’s everything we know about the injuries to Jalen Suggs and Grayson Allen and their playing status on Saturday.

*Watch NBA games live with fuboTV (free Trial)*

Jalen Suggs’ injury status vs. Suns

Suggs has missed 20 of the Magic’s first 54 games this season and is in danger of missing another game. The 24-year-old has not missed a game since January 22, but is listed as doubtful against the Suns after battling back spasms.

Suggs has often been listed on Orlando’s injury report as a precaution since returning to the court. The back spasms are often minor, which suggests he will be on the court Saturday afternoon.

The Magic are already shorthanded after Franz Wagner suffered a setback in his recovery from injury, forcing Anthony Black into the starting lineup. Losing Suggs will leave Jamahl Mosley without his best on-ball defender, potentially giving up-and-coming Javon Carter a head start.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Suggs take the second seat, considering he’s already missed nearly half of the season, and the Magic have been hit hard by injury. But given the nature of his injury and the current situation in Orlando, he is expected to play.

Grayson Allen’s injury status vs. Magic

Unlike Suggs, Allen has not played in more than two weeks. His last game was on February 5 against the Golden State Warriors, when his foot dropped awkwardly at the end of the game. Allen survived a major injury, but surprisingly he has been out of commission ever since.

Allen remained out after the All-Star break and did not appear in the Suns’ game against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. The team initially reported it would re-evaluate Allen after the break, but it appears nothing has changed.

However, him being listed as questionable is a step in the right direction, suggesting a return could be coming soon. If he is able to bounce back against the Magic, it will almost be a miracle that he only missed four games due to the scary injury.

With Devin Booker also out, Phoenix was forced to make do without its starting backcourt, forcing Jordan Ott to turn to Jalen Green, who is coming off a 26-point game against the Spurs. Green is starting with Colin Gillespie, who, barring a miraculous return of Allen, will likely be the backcourt tandem on Saturday against the Magic.

magical injury report

Colin Castleton – Out, G League

Alex Morales – Out, G League

Jalen Suggs – Questionable, back spasms

Franz Wagner – out, left ankle sprain injury management

sans injury report

Grayson Allen – Questionable, right ankle sprain

Cole Anthony – Out, not with team

Devin Booker – out, right hip strain

Haywood Highsmith – out, managing right knee injury.

inside the nba Host Charles Barkley was not impressed with the Los Angeles Lakers after their 125–122 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. On Saturday morning’s edition of Inside the NBA after the game, Barkley reiterated his old view that the Lakers are not championship contenders and that they will not beat the Thunder and other top teams in the West.

“It depends on the seeding because if they’re six, seven or eight and they have to play Denver, Houston or OKC, they’re not going to be able to beat those teams. I’m not even sure they can beat San Antonio,” Barkley said.

Even before Doncic was traded to the Lakers, the Pro Basketball Hall of Famer turned studio analyst remained consistent in his sentiments regarding the Lakers. He never saw the Lakers as a true contender and his doubts continued throughout the season.

But yesterday the moment was different. As Lakers guard, Austin Reaves, waited to be interviewed by the Inside the NBA crew, he had the headset on as Barkley talked about his team’s prospects. Ernie Johnson asked if Reeves had heard the conversation.

Reeves replied, “Yeah, I heard a little bit. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion.”

Currently, the Lakers are the fifth seed in the Western Conference after the All-Star break. They are one game ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves and three games ahead of the seventh-seeded Phoenix Suns in the loss column.

This season, the Lakers have wins over Minnesota and San Antonio as well as a Denver team without Nikola Jokic. So far, they have not been able to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Spurs have beaten them three times since their November 5 win.

But the Lakers are on a two-game winning streak and will host the Boston Celtics on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

Looking to make an impact after the All-Star break, the Miami Heat got off to an explosive start with a 128-97 win over the Atlanta Hawks with the return of a key piece to the puzzle. As soon as Heat star Tyler Herro returned to practice on Thursday after missing the previous 15 games, he came back on Friday night, and made an immediate impact that caught the attention of captain Bam Adebayo.

It has been a disappointing season for Herro to say the least, as in addition to missing the last 15 fixtures, he has been absent in 45 of the 57 games he has played so far. Coming off the bench in the win at Atlanta, he led the team with 24 points on nine of 14 shooting from the field, two of four from deep, four rebounds and three assists.

For Adebayo, who recorded 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists, it is not surprising to see how Herro could impact Miami, but he felt the guard has an “edge” to him.

“We know what Tyler can do – it’s not a shock…but I think he had an edge about him today, and he showed it,” Adebayo said, via the team’s video, which was posted on Twitter by HeatCulture, formerly of X.

Bam Adebayo on Tyler Herro’s return:

“We know what Tyler can do – it’s not a shock… but I think he had an edge about him today and he showed it.”

24 points in 23 minutes from Hero😮💨 pic.twitter.com/6EOI01Hr19

– 𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙂𝙡𝙩𝙂𝙧𝙚 (@WadexFlash) 21 February 2026

It was Herro’s 11th game of the season, which was an “encouraging” sign to see, as head coach Erik Spoelstra reiterated.

“It was definitely exciting,” Spoelstra said. “Obviously, it’s been a unique season for him. We know how competitive he is; we know how much he wants to be there. But these are things you can’t control. But we’ve never forgotten about the talent he brings. He changes our dynamic tremendously.”

Heat’s Tyler Herro speaks on his return from rib injury

While the Heat are looking to turn their season around after finishing close to a .500 record and finishing eighth in the Eastern Conference, Herro’s involvement could reflect the totality of what this team is really like. At the end of the day, Herro’s health is paramount to as far as this team can reach.

“It felt great,” Herro said. “Finally, it was amazing to be out there. To be out there with my teammates, playing games and getting into my routine again. It felt good.”

The focus has now turned to what his role will be at Will, whether he will continue to come off the bench or return to the starting lineup. After missing 13 games with a toe injury, Spoelstra benched him in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 6, but returned to the starting lineup.

“Right now we’re just trying to get him out of there,” Spoelstra said. “We’re going to manage the minutes. I’m not thinking too much about it, I’m not putting anything into it, I don’t have a timeline for anything.”

That remains to be seen, but the answer will be revealed soon as Miami takes on the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night.

The Denver Nuggets needed a response after a tough loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night.

He presented one emphatically. On Friday night, the Nuggets destroyed the Portland Trail Blazers 157-103.

Nikola Jokic led the way and produced his best performance since returning from injury. He finished the night with 32 points on 10 of 15 shooting. He was also 3-of-4 from three-point range.

“We played really well. Everybody stepped up, everybody played with a lot of energy,” Jokic said. “The defense was playing at a high level. We were making shots. We had a good start, in fact, it was a perfect game for us.”

Nuggets bounce back with huge win over Trail Blazers

The Nuggets’ 157 points are the most points scored by any team this season. From a franchise perspective, this is the seventh-highest score in franchise history. The 54-point margin of victory is also the second largest in franchise history.

“We were creating open looks. The ball was going in, that’s when you feel confident,” Jokic added. “We were there playing for each other.”

The entire Nuggets roster had a stellar performance, with seven players finishing the night in double figures. Jamal Murray was lethal from deep, scoring 6 of 12 on three-point attempts. He would finish the night with 25 points, six rebounds and six assists. Julian Strother, who was placed in the starting lineup, continued his hot streak with 19 points on 9-of-16 shooting. Whenever Strother was on the court, the Nuggets were an amazing +48.

The Nuggets will conclude their short road trip by visiting the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Clippers showed plenty of promise during their 125-122 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers, despite being on the wrong side of the result. And while Tyronn Lue was completely happy with his team’s efforts, he had clear issues with how the Lakers did it.

Lue accused his opponents of the night of committing fouls throughout the game and claimed that it was something his team went through in every game.

According to a post on the

Undoubtedly, the turning point of the game proved to be Leonard’s exit with an ankle injury, which came with about five minutes left in regulation. The Clippers stayed in the game despite the Lakers getting an explosive start to the game.

While Luka Doncic led from the front with 38 points and 11 assists, Austin Reeves contributed 29 points on 9-15 shooting, LeBron James also came up with a double-double with 13 points and 11 assists.

This was only the 11th time in 55 games that the Lakers’ three superstars played together, something fans will hope will become the norm from now on. The Clippers’ response was mainly driven by Kawhi Leonard’s 31-point performance.

Whenever the Lakers threatened to take over the game, he seemed to inspire his team’s response. Benedict Mathurin scored 26 points off the bench on the night, while Brook Lopez returned with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.

The Clippers even came back from a 15-point deficit at one point in the third quarter and things might have changed if Leonard had been able to log minutes toward the end.

The Los Angeles Clippers suffered a 125–122 loss against the city rival Los Angeles Lakers, with Kawhi Leonard having to leave early with an ankle injury. Led by Luka Doncic’s 38 points and 11 assists, the Lakers fielded a trio of Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James, who had one of their best offensive performances of the season.

After the game, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue praised his team, claiming that they fought to the end despite great adversity.

Tyronn Lue Postgame

“Don’t feel like any team is trying to beat me.” pic.twitter.com/0Pdv8KLZiU

– Law Murray 🏴‍☠️ (@LawMurrayTheNU) 21 February 2026

“You see, that’s who we are. This group, we’re gonna compete, we’re gonna fight every night. This doesn’t look like a bullshit team that’s trying to lose to me. We’ll scrape by every night. We’ll fight every night. That’s who we are. Teams that are gonna play against us know we’re gonna fight every night,” he said, according to a post by The Athletic’s Law Murray on X.

The Lakers started with an early offensive burst, led by Doncic’s 17-point quarter, as the Clippers returned from a 12-point deficit in the first quarter. However, the reaction was just as dramatic.

Leonard shot clinically throughout, finishing 11 of 19 shooting, including an impressive 19-point second quarter that kept the game from slipping away. The Clippers’ physical ability and comeback provided another encouraging sign.

They had a significant early advantage in second-chance production, outscoring the Lakers 14–2 on offensive rebounds in the first half. This helped them flip the script as they overcame a 15-point deficit to take a 17-0 lead.

However, Leonard’s ejection with a little more than five minutes remaining proved to be the turning point. Despite bringing the score to 123–120 with only 46 seconds remaining, the Clippers struggled to stay in the game and ultimately lost.

However, as he pointed out, Tyronn Lue’s team fought until the end and will have plenty of positives to take from the defeat.