All articles tagged with #nba
The Pelicans, who aren’t tanking despite lacking their 2026 first-round pick, leaned on Dejounte Murray’s return from Achilles rehab and a pivotal bench burst by rookie Derik Queen to beat Golden State. Williamson has been healthy and productive, but Murphy and Missi remain out with injuries as New Orleans eyes the final 23 games and potential contracts/guarantees for next season.
The Cavaliers will be without at least two starters from their win over the Knicks as they prepare to face the Bucks, with Donovan Mitchell (right groin strain) and Evan Mobley (left calf maintenance) out, and James Harden listed as questionable after a broken right thumb. Max Strus is out with a foot injury, and three two-way players (Brown, Enaruna, Minix) are unavailable. If Harden can’t go, Cleveland’s likely starting five would be Dennis Schroder, Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, Dean Wade, and Jarrett Allen. Milwaukee will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf strain) along with Taurean Prince and Alex Antetokounmpo. The matchup tests Cleveland’s depth as they try to rebound from a win over the Knicks."
With under two months left in the regular season, NBA.com highlights six teams—Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs—as the contenders for the league’s best, each with distinct strengths and drawbacks: Celtics benefit from Jaylen Brown’s breakout and strong coaching while awaiting Jayson Tatum’s return; Cavaliers rely on Donovan Mitchell with Harden’s addition to unlock Mobley/Allen; Nuggets boast a high ceiling despite injuries and defensive concerns; Pistons feature Cade Cunningham in MVP-territory and a stingy defense; Thunder stay deep and balanced with Shai leading; Spurs ride Victor Wembanyama and a versatile supporting cast. No obvious frontrunner yet as the stretch run unfolds.
Denver is closing in on a fully healthy rotation as Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson progress in their returns from hamstring injuries. With about 20 games left, coach David Adelman hopes to have the full group back soon, possibly by next Thursday against the Lakers, though the team will proceed cautiously given Gordon’s injury history. Gordon has been involved in conditioning and some non-contact work, while Watson indicated he’ll be back soon, and both returns are seen as key to improving defense and playoff contention for the Nuggets.
Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel became the fastest player in NBA history to reach 200 made 3-pointers, accomplishing the feat in 58 games, while leading rookies with 201 threes this season and helping Charlotte push toward a play-in spot.
San Antonio vaults to No. 1 after a nine‑game win streak as the stretch run begins, with Detroit and Oklahoma City still near the top of their conferences. Cleveland climbs into genuine East contention, Denver’s depth shines around Jokic’s absence, and the Knicks’ title chances face scrutiny as teams navigate injuries and late‑season schedules.
James Harden has a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb and is questionable for Wednesday's Cavs-Bucks game; after a specialist consult he plans to play, with Donovan Mitchell and Dennis Schröder likely handling more playmaking if he sits, and Harden has been averaging about 19 points and 8 assists this season since joining Cleveland.
An opinion piece argues that Jayson Tatum’s return from a torn Achilles this season would be a net positive for the Celtics, who have thrived without him—led by Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and coach Joe Mazzulla—and that a careful, limited return could boost their playoff prospects and chase a title run.
LeBron James is in a February shooting slump, hitting just 21.1% from three on 4.8 attempts per game (about 28% of his shots) and posting a team-low 109.0 offensive rating with a -2.1 net rating, yet the Lakers are 5-3 with him active; some observers suggest LeBron should seek more scoring opportunities elsewhere or adjust his shot selection to avoid derailing the season, especially as his 2025-26 three-point percentage sits at 30.3% on 4.6 attempts, well below last season’s 37.6% and his catch-and-shoot efficiency (42.0% in 2024-25). With 26 games left and a likely summer roster reshaping, balancing LeBron’s offense could determine the Lakers’ playoff chances after back-to-back early exits with Doncic’s era.
San Antonio’s young core, led by Victor Wembanyama (21 points, 17 rebounds, 6 blocks) and Devin Vassell (28), beat Detroit 114-103 to seize the top spot in the NBA power rankings after nine straight wins. The Pistons, who were No. 1 last week, slip to No. 2 as the Spurs take command of the ranking.
Joel Embiid returned from his longest absence since November as the Sixers rolled to a 135-114 road win over the Indiana Pacers, with Tyrese Maxey delivering another superstar performance and flirting with a triple-double. Embiid eased into the game and finished with 27 on efficient scoring in 26 minutes, while Maxey anchored the offense with multi-level scoring and key plays as Philadelphia closed the second quarter on a burst and surged in the second half. The win, part of a 2-1 road trip, featured solid bench input from Adem Bona and VJ Edgecombe and a rotation tweak that saw Trendon Watford return. Andre Drummond was out of the rotation, and Philadelphia will head home to face the Miami Heat next.
LA’s tight loss to Orlando drew mixed grades: LeBron James opened hot but faded, Deandre Ayton posted a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double, Austin Reaves struggled to find his rhythm before a late surge, and Luka Dončić provided playmaking with inefficient shooting, underscoring an uneven Lakers night despite clutch-game optimism.
Sports Illustrated’s late-season NBA championship power rankings crown the Thunder No. 1 due to elite defense and deep depth, even as health concerns linger for key players. The 12-contender field ranges from the Spurs (Victor Wembanyama) and Pistons (Cade Cunningham) near the top to the Nuggets, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Rockets, Knicks, Lakers, Celtics, Raptors, and 76ers, each with distinct strengths and flaws that could shape a title run. Historical trends still favored top seeds, but recent play shows variance that keeps the race wide open going into April.
The article argues that tanking is a symptom of the NBA’s 82‑game grind, and while proposed anti‑tanking fixes raise concerns about side effects, the real cure may be shortening the schedule to around 60–65 games to make every game more meaningful and reduce incentives to lose. It cautions that some rule changes could backfire or punish teams that rebuilt, notes the 2026 draft class heightens the tanking temptation, and advocates for reasonable measures focused on lengthening the competitive window rather than sweeping overhaul.
In Detroit, a heated first half of the Spurs-Pistons game saw tempers flare and benches on edge as Cade Cunningham faced Victor Wembanyama, with sideline shouts from Spurs coach Mitch Johnson and Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff, while Devin Vassell contributed early scoring for San Antonio.