John Cena did not become the 17-time world champion without reason. And believe it or not, his brothers ultimately played a role in helping shape the WWE icon.

Before the bright lights and main events, Cena was hard at work in the Backyard Wars with his first rivals Stephen, Dan, Matthew and Sean. We’re talking cardboard title belts, a DIY ring, and five Cena guys cutting promos and throwing hands like it’s WrestleMania every day.

That chaos created the ultimate competitor. Those early sibling conflicts shaped Cena into a relentless, never-back-down superstar who dominated the headlines in WWE for years. And even now, despite the fame and Hollywood glamour, Cena is still tight with his brothers. However, an interesting fact has emerged about one of them.

Who is John Cena’s brother?

John Cena has four brothers. Stephen, Dan, Matthew and Shawn.

Who is John Cena’s gay brother?

Stephen is the one whose sexuality became a public story in 2024. He is a voice and theater actor who has appeared in Avenue Q, Bloody Island, And Return to Clark County. He has won two New York State Theater Association awards for his work.

John Cena’s support for his gay brother

For more than a decade, he guarded his brother Steve’s truth like a championship secret – no leaks, no omissions, just pure loyalty. The 17-time world champion never violated kayfabe on something that was so important, he stood by his brother until Steve was ready to step into the spotlight and tell his story on his own terms.

“Life was hard for my brother in high school,” Cena said on Dax Shepard’s podcast. ‘Not only was he introverted and interested in computers, but he was also gay. And being gay in a small town in Massachusetts in the ’80s, man, it’s a tough climb.

Cena said that his brother is still not out, but he is still being criticized for being different. He explained, “He had a lot of character traits that the group of cool kids didn’t have, and he also had this secret that he couldn’t tell anyone or talk about.” He said that now looking back, he realizes deeply what his brother went through.

The Chicago Bulls have seen a lot of drama this season, but nothing like the Jayden Ivy situation. What started as a locker room whisper has turned into one of the strangest stories in the NBA this year.

Reporters, social media and a mid-flight Instagram Live all played a role in exposing a side of Ivey that no one expected to see.

According to Bulls insider Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Jaden Ivey’s postgame interviews were nothing out of the ordinary. Instead of the usual basketball discussion, Ivey would turn press sessions into full-on sermons.

He would ask reporters personal questions about his faith, including whether he was “saved” and whether he had “committed adultery before marriage.”

Sources close to the situation said that before Ivey arrived in Chicago, people around the Detroit Pistons were already calling him “the preacher”, but even that label did not fully explain what was going on.

What’s really going on around Jaden Ivey?

The situation quickly deteriorated after Ivey turned to social media. After the Bulls held a Pride Night event, Ivey went on Instagram Live and openly challenged the NBA’s LGBTQ advocacy. According to The Athletic, Ivey said on the livestream:

“The world can declare LGBTQ, right? They declare Pride Month. And the NBA, they declare it. They show it to the world. They say, ‘Come join us for Pride Month, to celebrate inequity.’ They promote it on billboards. They promote it on the streets. Unrighteousness.”

The Bulls took action the same day and waived Ivy on March 30 for “conduct detrimental to the team”.

The live stream that said it all

Instead of staying quiet, Ivey got on Instagram Live and kept going until a flight attendant came over and shut it down. On stream, Ivey slammed the Bulls’ decision, saying:

“[The Bulls] Said that my conduct is harmful for the team. Why didn’t they say, ‘We don’t agree with his stance on LGBTQ’? Why didn’t he say so? How is this behavior harmful to the team? What did I do with the team? What did I do with the players?”

He also opened up about his personal past, sharing on Instagram:

“The NBA was everything to me. I didn’t know God. When I came to the NBA I was a womanizer, I was an alcoholic and a drunk. That’s all I knew. After all those points I felt good… I felt like everything was laid out for me.”

Mid-flight the live stream ended abruptly when a flight attendant interrupted him mid-sentence and caught him saying:

“All I’m preaching is about Jesus Christ… I’m telling you they’ll cancel me… He sees the things you’re doing at night… Obscenity… Adultery… Lies…” – at which point the flight attendant interjected: “I’m sorry to bother you… Are you on your mobile?”

Jayesh Pagar is currently studying Sports Journalism from London School of Journalism and has four years of experience… More about Jayesh Pagar

The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discussion is impossible to ignore. The New York Knicks have been linked to the two-time MVP for months. But now, a Knicks legend has stepped in with a cold dose of reality. John Starks, one of the most beloved figures in franchise history, spoke to Front Office Sports and didn’t hold back at all.

Starks was clear from the beginning. He said, “Giannis is not coming. He is not coming to New York.”

He went on to express his genuine respect for Antetokounmpo and his loyalty to the Milwaukee Bucks. Starks pointed out that Antetokounmpo had every opportunity to leave before the Bucks won the championship, but he decided to stay, fight and perform.

“He said, just give me some players around me, and I’ll bring you a championship, and he kept his promise.”

Starks highlighted his admiration for players who persevere and work hard even in difficult situations rather than abandoning the team. In fact, that’s exactly what Antetokounmpo did, and Starks believes loyalty is a very strong character trait.

Starks also mentioned that New York is a tough place to play if you can’t win. He said the Knicks have now become a desirable organization because of management, but still need to keep winning.

RELATED: NY Knicks get the injury news they’ve been waiting for for weeks

Could the Starks really be wrong?

But there are some things worth noting here. The situation has changed significantly in Milwaukee. Rumors say the Bucks and Antetokounmpo are set to get a ‘divorce’ this summer. Antetokounmpo’s injury issues have lowered his trade value, so a Knicks deal including Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby may be more realistic than ever.

Some time ago, Shams Charania reported that the Knicks were one of four teams interested in trading for Antetokounmpo. Under the leadership of Leon Rose, the Knicks front office has assembled one of the most attractive teams in the entire league.

Although Starks may admire Antetokounmpo’s dedication, loyalty isn’t always top-notch when it comes to the complete disintegration of a franchise. However, the door has not been completely closed yet.

RELATED: Mitchell Robinson continues public disappointment with NY Knicks’ recent game

Jayesh Pagar is currently pursuing Sports Journalism from London School of Journalism and has four years of experience… More about Jayesh Pagar

As Paul George nears his return from his 25-game suspension due to violations of the NBA’s anti-drug program, there is still a level of ambiguity behind the actual reason for his suspension. The NBA simply said that the suspension was classified as a first-time offense under the collective bargaining agreement and did not disclose the specific substance he was found taking.

Now, Bill Simmons and Vosny Lambre have provided some clarity on The Bill Simmons Podcast, with both suggesting that they were well aware of what George had taken.

“Paul George is always unavailable, when he’s not injured, he’s being suspended, we don’t know what for. I think I know what that guy was suspended for,” Lambrew initially said, before Simmons claimed he had “a few guesses” about what it was.

Lambre claimed that they could only pretend that they did not know what the substance was.

“Well, we know what it was, I think,” Simmons said, ultimately deciding not to disclose the substance in question.

George himself said after the suspension that he had taken “inappropriate medication” for a mental health issue, claiming that he wanted to take time to put his body and mind in the best possible condition for his return.

“Over the past few years, I have discussed the importance of mental health, and recently in seeking treatment for an issue of my own, I made the mistake of taking an inappropriate medication. I take full responsibility for my actions and apologize to the Sixers organization, my teammates, and Philly fans for my poor decision-making during this process,” the 76ers forward said.

George is eligible to return with approximately 10 regular season games left before the playoffs against the Chicago Bulls on March 25. Along with the suspension and a fine of approximately $11.7 million, George had missed 32 games by that point in the season.

They still managed to keep their playoff hopes alive this campaign with a 38–30 record, which is currently good for ninth in the Eastern Conference.

As Paul George nears his return from his 25-game suspension due to violations of the NBA’s anti-drug program, there is still a level of ambiguity behind the actual reason for his suspension. The NBA simply said that the suspension was classified as a first-time offense under the collective bargaining agreement and did not disclose the specific substance he was found taking.

Now, Bill Simmons and Vosny Lambre have provided some clarity on The Bill Simmons Podcast, with both suggesting that they were well aware of what George had taken.

“Paul George is always unavailable, when he’s not injured, he’s being suspended, we don’t know what for. I think I know what that guy was suspended for,” Lambrew initially said, before Simmons claimed he had “a few guesses” about what it was.

Lambre claimed that they could only pretend that they did not know what the substance was.

“Well, we know what it was, I think,” Simmons said, ultimately deciding not to disclose the substance in question.

George himself said after the suspension that he had taken “inappropriate medication” for a mental health issue, claiming that he wanted to take time to put his body and mind in the best possible condition for his return.

“Over the past few years, I have discussed the importance of mental health, and recently while treating an issue of my own, I made the mistake of taking inappropriate medication. I take full responsibility for my actions and apologize to the Sixers organization, my teammates and Philly fans for my poor decision-making during this process,” the 76ers man said.

George is eligible to return with approximately 10 regular season games left before the playoffs against the Chicago Bulls on March 25. Along with the suspension and a fine of approximately $11.7 million, George had missed 32 games by that point in the season.

They have still managed to keep their playoff hopes alive with a 38–30 record this campaign, which is currently good for 9th place in the Eastern Conference.

The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered their third consecutive loss, falling to the Los Angeles Clippers 153–128. It was a bad night for the Wolves defense, as they allowed Kawhi Leonard to torture them for 45 points. After the game, Anthony Edwards spoke honestly about Leonard and his position in the NBA.

“With all sincerity, Kavi [Leonard] When healthy, he could be one of the best players to ever play the game. I think many of his teammates feel the same way about him. If he’s healthy (100%) Kawhi is unstoppable.”

-Anthony Edwards

(via @timberwolves)
pic.twitter.com/XEeP4kUbCH

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 12 March 2026

Edwards was amazed at Leonard and his ability to do anything to help the Clippers win. That was more than evident in this game, as the superstar helped the Clippers take a 38-27 lead after the first quarter. It was still a 12-point game in the third quarter. Still, the Clippers blew everything out of the water in the fourth and Leonard helped them get there. The situation got so bad that a fight broke out on the court between the Clippers and Timberwolves.

Edwards bounced back from a poor game against the Lakers, leading the Wolves with 36 points on 11 of 17 shooting, including 3 of 8 from beyond the arc. However, no other starter scored above 11. Naz Reed had 18 points off the bench.

The Wolves shot 59.7% from the field, including 44% from the three-point line. However, they allowed the Clippers to shoot 63.4% from the floor, including 51.4% from beyond the arc. The Wolves turned the ball over 21 times, giving the Clippers many opportunities to take advantage.

Leonard’s 45 points came on 15 of 20 shooting, including 6 of 9 from the triple. Darius Garland helped with 21 points on 8 of 13 shooting. Benedict Mathurin had 22 points off the bench on 5 of 10 shooting.

The Wolves fell in the standings for the second consecutive day, falling to sixth place in the Western Conference. They are 40-26 as they prepare for their next game, which will be against the Golden State Warriors on Friday in San Francisco.

Although he left the Alamo City on strained terms, Kawhi Leonard has largely been a supporter of the San Antonio Spurs since the 2018 trade that sent him to the Toronto Raptors. After a 116–112 loss, in which his Los Angeles Clippers blew a 25-point lead, Clough didn’t hesitate in praising the organization he helped win an NBA title in 2014.

After their first meeting of the season, ClutchPoints asked Leonard if he thought the young Spurs were ahead of schedule.

“Obviously, probably no one thought they’d be this good so quickly. But, they have great individual players, a great coaching staff. The organization has always known how to win basketball here. So, they’re putting everything together,” the seven-time NBA All-Star responded.

Los Angeles’ leading scorer then fouled out his Spurs counterpart.

“This team; the league is young. So it’s all about speed and run and if you have a shooter at the five, like Wembey or anybody who can shoot threes and block shots, your chances of winning are even greater.”

“…Probably no one thought they’d become so good so quickly… They have great individual players, great coaching staff. The organization always knows how to win…
They’re just putting it all together…”⬇️

-Talked to the poet about what he thinks #spurs are ahead of schedule#porvida pic.twitter.com/IYX2uDbPBa

– Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) 7 March 2026

Victor Wembanyama scored 27 in just 22 minutes, but the 2023 first overall draft pick wasn’t the only standout spurt to earn praise from the 34-year-old star.

“[Stephon] Cassel is playing very well, had a great rookie year and has taken a step forward this year and gotten better. I like what he’s doing on the court. He is getting better. “It’s fun to go out there and compete against younger guys, giving us some advantages here and there,” Leonard said of San Antonio’s star guard.

“When you’re trying to win a game, you’ve got to play on both ends of the floor,” the two-time NBA champion said.

Leonard finished with a game-high 30 points for a Clippers team that advanced from play-in contention in the Silver and Black.

“You never know. Nobody can say if they are ahead of schedule or not, you just have to see how it all plays out,” the former Spur concluded from ClutchPoints about the team finishing second in the Western Conference.

“We’ve been steady, but you’ve got to give the Spurs credit,” Leonard added. “They’re a great defensive team, they have some great individual defenders. Wembey is unbelievable and he made us miss shots.”

Kawhi Leonard downplays constant ridicule from Spurs fans

Leonard, once considered the next face of a proud franchise, was essentially forced out of San Antonio when he requested a trade following a lengthy controversy centered on an injury that led to a strained relationship. Since then, the 2011 first-round pick has often been criticized when he won Finals MVP in 2014.

Leonard said the boo birds don’t bother him.

“As soon as the game starts, you hear that. But after a while, you hear the cheers and I get a lot of love whenever I walk around town. So, like I said before, it’s a competitive fan base, so they’re not going to be on the court cheering for you to score. But after the game, it’s all love.”

Some, perhaps many, fans in San Antonio would not agree. However one thing is certain. Leonard doesn’t mind showing these Spurs love.

The Sacramento Kings’ season has tested everyone in the locker room, and veteran guard Malik Monk is now speaking openly about the frustrations surrounding the team. After another tough loss, Monk offered a brutally honest reflection on where things stand. Sacramento continues to search for answers under head coach Doug Christie, but the reality of this season has become impossible to ignore. With the Kings sitting at 14-50, the worst record in the league, emotions are running high inside the locker room.

The latest loss came against the New Orleans Pelicans, another painful chapter in a year full of failures. That loss gave Sacramento eight losses in its last ten games. Earlier this season, the Kings suffered a 16-game losing streak that began on January 18. The slump finally ended with a win over the Memphis Grizzlies on February 23, but the momentum never came.

After the game, KCRA reporter Sean Cunningham asked Monk if the brutal stretch prepared the Kings for whatever lies ahead. Months of frustration were reflected in his answer.

After the Sacramento Kings suffered an NBA-worst 50th season loss, Malik Monk told me it’s been the “craziest” season of his career and he still feels like his voice still has an impact on his team.

“Nothing can be worse than this.” pic.twitter.com/UZhNNYf7KD

– Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) 6 March 2026

The monk said, “Yes, nothing can be worse than this.” “Nothing can be worse than this. It can’t happen. So yeah, it prepares you for anything.”

Malik Monk talks honestly about Kings’ season

Monk also reflected on the locker room dynamics as the Kings head into the final weeks of the season. Despite the defeat, he believes the young players are still learning valuable lessons.

“I think the young guys are learning a lot,” Monk said. “The vets are trying to teach them. Yes, they want to learn.”

When the Kings legend was asked about his goals for the remaining games, he kept his answer simple and extremely honest.

“Get well and move forward,” he said. Then he said, “Just deal with this shit, man.”

It was not polished. It was not filtered. But it was real.

Under Doug Christie, the Kings are going through a painful rebuilding year. For Monk and the rest of the roster, the focus now turns to growth, survival and the hope that better days will eventually return.

Because after a season like this, where else can the Kings go but up?

Whenever the Minnesota Timberwolves step onto the hardwood, Anthony Edwards is sure to command any opposing team’s attention. In fact, on Sunday night, Edwards got so much respect from the Denver Nuggets that there was a point in the game where he was drawing double teams as soon as he crossed halfcourt.

In the end, Edwards and the Timberwolves persisted despite the Nuggets’ shameless defensive tactics, as they won 117–108 on the road. The Timberwolves star hasn’t had the best of nights; He finished with only 21 points on 9-19 shooting from the field, which is quite low by his standards, but the defensive attention he attracted opened up the court so much for his teammates.

This speaks volumes about Edwards’ progress as a basketball player he doesn’t care anymore Whether the opposition wants to take the ball out of his hands or not – as long as his team is playing winning basketball.

“It might have been last year or the year before last when I said, ‘Man, they’re double partnering me. I don’t like it.’ At this point, it’s a sign of respect. Because they were double teaming me. They were hitting me from halfcourt. I’m not angry at all because, at the end of the day, my four is better than those three. We’re playing three on four,” Edwards said, via Dan Moore of Blue Wire.

In today’s game, Denver was sending another defender when Anthony Edwards crossed the court.

Asked Ant, who was really frustrated with that look, about playing through that type of aggressive coverage.

“I’m not mad at all because, at the end of the day, my 4 is better… https://t.co/lF58jWRhFL pic.twitter.com/YUgr93fu53

– Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) 1 March 2026

Anthony Edwards continues superstar rise for Timberwolves

Five other scorers crossed double figures for the Timberwolves, and it was a balanced effort that made this incredible win over another fellow contender in the Nuggets possible. Edwards has become so dangerous as a scorer that the Nuggets were prepared to beat him with everyone they could — which Minnesota did.

The Timberwolves have made a living taking advantage of their opportunities, but have faced a lot of trouble dealing with weaker teams. They will be tested on Tuesday when they take on the struggling Memphis Grizzlies.

The Los Angeles Lakers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 129-101 win against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. The Lakers showed from start to finish the type of complete effort that head coach JJ Redick has been asking for all season.

Some of the Lakers’ issues this season may be due to inconsistency in the lineup and rotation due to injuries, and JJ Redick acknowledged this after the team’s win against the Warriors. But part of it also has to do with the energy and intensity, or lack thereof, that the Lakers have shown at times.

But after a full 48-minute effort against the Warriors, Redick admitted he believes the team will eventually get to the level he wants them to be before the season is over.

“As I said before the game, these guys want to make it right. They’re trying. I know our staff, I know myself, we’re always looking for answers and solutions. That’s it, we’re trying to find solutions,” Redick said during his postgame press conference. “I am confident that we will reach the level we want to reach.”

Redick further said, “It’s partially due to the disruption of the lineup and different factors. We haven’t had the consistency I thought we were going to have coming into this year.” “It’s taken longer than I thought, but I’m confident we’ll get there.”

After the win against the Warriors, the Lakers improved to 35–24 on the season. They are just two games behind the No. 3 seed Houston Rockets in what is shaping up to be a competitive race for position in the Western Conference during the regular season.

There are only three and a half games that separate the No. 3 seed and the No. 7 seed. The Phoenix Suns are currently in seventh place. The No. 7 seed will be directly out of the playoffs and will have to go through the play-ins.

Last season, the Lakers finished with the third seed in the West playoff picture, but were eliminated in the opening round by the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games.

Redick is in his second year as head coach of the Lakers, and the team is currently in sixth place in the West standings. They are only a game and a half up on the Suns and potentially falling into the play-ins. They have 22 games left in the regular season to continue showing the level of competitiveness Redick is confident they can reach.

Spurs rookie Dylan Harper is not enjoying the best statistical season by an NBA rookie. not by a long shot. But, thanks in part to Stephen Cassel and De’Aaron Fox – as well as Victor Wembanyama – he is enjoying one of the most successful seasons by any standout rookie. By a long shot.

Harper shared, “With three dynamic guards, we’re hard to figure out. I think when Fox and Steph start playing, we’ve got the two best guards in the NBA.” “And I think when I come off the bench, I think it’s another weapon that we have. So, I think it opens up the door for everybody, including Vick. And I think when Vick has that much pressure and two guys go at him, it opens up the world for us.”

Harper is seventh on the team in scoring with 11 points per game. Playing 22 minutes per night, the second overall pick of last summer’s draft is seeing the floor significantly less than Cassel and Fox. The reigning Rookie of the Year is averaging 16.6 points in 29.7 minutes, while Fox, a two-time NBA All-Star, is scoring 19 points per night in a team-leading 31.6 minutes of action.

Harper praised his other teammates, saying, “I think we can all score from everywhere. That’s the beauty of this team. We can all dribble the ball.”

Harper added, “We have a group of ball handlers and a group of scorers. So, every night is going to be a big night.” “As a collective group, just coming forward and helping as much as we can, it’s great for us.”

Victor Wembanyama praises Stephen Cassel

Although all are dynamic offensively, Harper, Castle and Fox each have an aspect of their game that they do better than the other two. Fox is the best scorer of the three. Harper may be the best at getting to the rim. And Castle is easily the best defender of the group.

“He has understood his role very well,” Wembanyama said. “The level he’s playing at is really unseen for a second-year player and how it fits into our game plan.”

Nicknamed “Area 51” as an allusion to their jersey numbers and Wembanyama’s ‘alien’ nickname, Wembanyama and Cassel are one of the most lethal defensive combinations in the NBA.

“I know we make it difficult, we make it uncomfortable for people to play against us,” Wembanyama said. “That’s the goal because a guy has to dribble around one of the best on-ball defenders and then make a shot against some of the best rim protectors; it’s very tough.”

Dylan Harper overwhelmed by Spurs success

While Cooper Flagg and Kohn Knueppel lead the Rookie of the Year discussion, Harper will likely be playing even if he doesn’t play this spring.

“It feels great,” Harper said of the Spurs’ success. “I think this is the most wins I’ve had in a long time. So, to have this win streak and keep it going and not take teams for granted, I think, is huge for us.”

Thanks to former Rutgers stars, Fox and Cassel, the Spurs are currently seeded second in the West. Their position at the top is much closer to the Oklahoma City Thunder than the teams behind them.

A lot of things didn’t go right for the Milwaukee Bucks when they welcomed the New York Knicks to town for an Eastern Conference showdown on Friday night.

Entering the half with a 20-point deficit, the Bucks were able to play the Knicks even in the third quarter, but ultimately lost without much of a fight in the final frame of the game, scoring only 15 points in a 127–98 loss.

Discussing how the game got away from their Bucks on their home court, Doc Rivers laid it out clearly for those in attendance and beyond: Milwaukee just got beat By New York.

“Yeah, yeah, I mean some guys on their team gave us shots, and we’re OK with that,” Rivers said. “You know, and we should have still gone out and defended it, but I thought they got everything they wanted and forgot the 3s. Like when they wanted to drive, they drove the ball, when they wanted to shoot, they shot the ball. And I didn’t think we met their physicality and their intensity. And you know, that’s a good lesson for them. He knew he knew how the game was going to be played, And we couldn’t capitalize on that moment.”

Now, heading into the game, few expected the Bucks to pull out a win, as they still don’t have Giannis Antetokounmpo and have a 26-32 record with a few more weeks left in the season. Still, after some strong performances following the arrivals of Cam Thomas and Ousmane Dieng, it’s clear that Rivers is ready to break down game film and move on.

“I don’t think we could meet their physicality and intensity…we couldn’t meet that moment,” Doc Rivers says after tough loss at home to the Knicks #nba #after the game #be afraid of dear pic.twitter.com/bDf3gS4EPK

– ESPN Milwaukee (@ESPNMilwaukee) 28 February 2026

The Los Angeles Lakers are in a slump. They have not been in good form of late, losing their last three games and five of their last seven.

The latest was another painful incident that went down to the wire, as Los Angeles suffered a clutch 3-pointer from Royce O’Neal in a 113-110 road loss to the Phoenix Suns.

The losses are really piling up for JJ Redick’s team, making the Lakers ever-more intense spotlight.

Redick also raised the same issue after the failure in Phoenix.

“Our losses stand out more than other teams. Because we’re the Lakers — and that’s how we lose,” Redick said, via Benjamin Royer of the Orange County Register.

To refresh, the Lakers were shut out by the Boston Celtics in a 111-109 loss on Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, before losing 110-109 at home to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.

That magical game ending made it difficult for Lakers fans to accept the loss. Then, against the Suns, Los Angeles was defeated by a perfectly executed game by Phoenix, which also featured Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks.

Luka Doncic had 41 points in the loss to the Suns, while LeBron James and Austin Reaves combined for 29 points.

However, the Lakers were repeatedly hurt by Phoenix’s outside shooting, with the Suns making 22 3-pointers at an absurd success rate of 44 percent. It’s always tough to beat teams that shoot so well, but the Lakers could have gotten an even better performance from Doncic’s supporting cast, including Deandre Ayton, who scored just two points and four rebounds in 23 minutes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Lakers’ defense needs a lot of work

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

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

The San Antonio Spurs began the All-Star break leg with the second-best record in the NBA’s Western Conference standings. As one of the few veterans in the team’s rotation, De’Aaron Fox doesn’t worry about the road to the playoffs for the Silver and Black.

“Every game matters a little more, especially when you’re talking about seeding and how close West is. It’s going to be fun.”

“Every game matters a little more, especially when you’re talking about seeding and how close West is. It’s going to be fun”⬇️

-De’Aaron Fox w/#spurs Scheduled for the post-All-Star break portion of the year

Coverage offered by Superior Tax Service: https://t.co/nfxcO81b4O#porvida pic.twitter.com/JjDzsuq1ty

– Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) 18 February 2026

Following his second career All-Star Game appearance, Fox is one of the few Spurs to have previously qualified for the NBA Playoffs.

“It’s definitely going to be an adjustment. And, even with that, they say they don’t do it, but the games are operated a little differently, especially as you get closer to the playoffs,” Fox said. “It’s going to be an adjustment. I think our coaching staff has put us in a good position to not let that mess up the way we play because we want to be able to be a physical team and continue to play fast and continue to blow the whistle.”

De’Aaron Fox likes the way the Spurs approach All-Star Weekend

The Spurs returned to play after the break on their longest actual winning streak of the season. Although they are credited with winning eight consecutive games in December, this includes a loss to the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup Finals, which does not count towards the records of the participating teams. That blowout came to New York between three and five game wins.

Spurs won their last six matches ahead of the league’s mid-February tradition.

Fox said, “It was a stretch that we felt was really important, to be able to go into the All-Star break with some momentum and we did a good job of that.”

“We played eight games,” the ninth-year veteran said. “We talked about an eight-game season. Over the last eight games, we were 7-1, so going into the break with that type of momentum, it’s the first time a lot of our guys are playing meaningful basketball after the break. So, all of these games mean a little more.”

Former Fox and Sacramento Kings teammate Harrison Barnes, who won a championship with the Golden State Warriors and is now in his 14th NBA season, is the team’s only rotation player with more than six seasons in the league.

Fox said, “There’s got to be a mental part of the game because everyone is going through it physically. But if you can keep your mind in the game and stay focused over such a long season, it helps you more than just being physically prepared for it.”

At 38–16 for the year, the Spurs are closer to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder at the top of the standings than they are to the Denver Nuggets, who are in third place in the West. This is the stark reality of the opportunity facing the Foxes and Spurs.

“For us, I think people are ready and I think people are definitely excited for it.”

Lonzo Ball’s first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers was cut short as the team traded him to the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team deal. The Jazz eventually waived him, allowing him to become a free agent.

Ball said he understood the Cavaliers’ decision to fire him, but he responded to the statement by saying he was playing terribly.

“I don’t think I’m playing as bad as people are saying. I know I’m the scapegoat right now. But look, it comes with the name and it comes with what they brought me in for,” Ball said on the “Ball in the Family Podcast.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m playing great. But for me, I’m really just missing shots. People always say, ‘25% shooting.’ Okay, let’s actually take the percentage and talk about what it is. It is a four shot game. Sh***y, but I promise we’re not winning or losing games in four shots.”

How’s Zoe been playing lately… real breakdown 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/uKl8G56lvH

– Ball in the Family Podcast (@ballinthefampod) 17 February 2026

The 28-year-old Ball seemed like a perfect fit for the Cavaliers when they signed him in the offseason. His unselfishness, playmaking and defense were qualities that coach Kenny Atkinson praised. But alas, it was not to be.

In 35 games for the Cavaliers, Ball averaged 4.6 points on 30.1% shooting, 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 20.8 minutes off the bench.

Ball continued, “Can I play better? Yes. Am I playing too bad? I don’t think I played well.”

Ball, who was the No. 2 overall pick in 2017, has struggled to find his rhythm after missing two seasons due to a knee injury.

The Golden State Warriors are reportedly interested in signing Ball.

Anthony Edwards always believes that he is the best player on the court at all times, no matter who he is sharing the hardcourt with. The Minnesota Timberwolves star loves to snatch the chains from other stars he competes against, and that’s what helped Team Stars reach the NBA All-Star Game crown.

Edwards scored a total of 32 points in three games, including eight in the Stars’ 47–21 win over the Stripes, and that was good enough to crown the Timberwolves star as All-Star Game MVP.

Going up against players like Kevin Durant, with whom he has had a friendly rivalry over the past few seasons, and LeBron James, both of whom he played with on the gold medal-winning Team USA in 2024, lit a fire Under the Timberwolves star, as was obvious.

“I want to cook them every time,” Edwards said in his interview after receiving All-Star Game MVP honors.

When Ant was being protected by LeBron and KD
“I want to cook them every time”😭 pic.twitter.com/cPeZgyX9Ij

– 𝗠𝗔𝗟 (@MindOfBron) 16 February 2026

In fact, the Timberwolves star did his fair share of the cooking, as a few of his buckets in the All-Star Game final caused much of a rift between him and Team Stripes. Now all that’s left is to keep cooking whoever comes after the season.

Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards is coming for the crown

Edwards has been tough in the playoffs now, having suffered heartbreak in two Western Conference Finals. In his first WCF appearance, he ran out of steam. The following year, the Oklahoma City Thunder were formidable. But now, Edwards understands the level that is required for him to get over the hump.

Timberwolves stars raise their game when they come up against the game’s greats, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has quickly become one of them. And knowing how much he has on his shoulders, hopefully he’ll be at his best when the postseason starts in April.

LOS ANGELES – For the first time since 2019-20, the Los Angeles Lakers have a participant for the Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend in the form of big man Jackson Hayes. Dwight Howard competed in the championship for the last time in his lone season with the Lakers. Howard did not advance to the final round that season, with Derrick Jones Jr. taking home the hardware.

Jackson Hayes is the sixth Lakers player to be selected for the Slam Dunk Contest, but only Kobe Bryant has won the marquee event of NBA All-Star Saturday Night. Hayes is now attempting to become the second player in franchise history to bring home the trophy.

Over the past few seasons, the Slam Dunk Contest has come under increased scrutiny from fans, media, and players alike, and the contest has lost some of its luster compared to previous years. But for Hayes, he’s just trying to go out there and have fun, and try to bring excitement back to the competition.

“I want to bring as much fun and life back to this competition,” Hayes said during his media availability session. “Me and the guys were talking about it, we just want to make it a show. Just try to bring the dunk contest back in the best way possible, just go all out and have fun, and make it entertaining for people to watch.”

Hayes has wowed fans with some impressive dunks in games this season. He is good for Luka Doncic in almost every game. But the one that stood out so far this season was his Eastbay dunk, which he threw down during the Lakers’ win against the Chicago Bulls on January 26.

The inspiration for that dunk came when Hayes’ Lakers teammates made fun of him for throwing an ambiguous dunk on a fastbreak.

Hayes said, “At the beginning of the game my teammates were making fun of me. I had a fastbreak and I just did a simple two-handed dunk. Not hanging on the rim or anything, just dropping it in.” “Everyone was teasing me, they were all messing with me. I got a steal late in the game and I was just remembering the guys who were teasing me earlier and making fun of me, so I was like, ‘Okay I’ll do something.’

As far as Hayes’ production for the Lakers, he has been one of the team’s most consistent players this season with his energy and effort. He has appeared in 45 games, including seven starts, at a pace of just over 17 minutes per game. He is averaging 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 77.2 percent from the field.