NBA Editorials Articles - Page 6

The Cleveland Cavaliers were on the precipice of a long, difficult plane ride home from the nation’s capital before NBA MVP candidate Donovan Mitchell came to the rescue again. “We found Donovan Mitchell, or Donovan Mitchell found us,” Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said postgame. “It was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen. […]

Six-time NBA All-Star Blake Griffin knows what it’s like to be on top of the basketball world. He also understands how it feels to have injuries unjustly knock you off that apex when you least expect it. For those reasons, Griffin can relate to his former teammate, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, more than most […]

After a dream 2024-25 campaign that saw the Indiana Pacers come to within one win away of winning their first NBA title in franchise history, one would have thought that this would be the start of a dominant run for the league’s fastest-rising team. However, Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles tear has made life difficult for Indiana […]

Jonathan Kuminga’s time with the Golden State Warriors is about to come to an end. While Kuminga did re-sign with the Warriors this past offseason and appeared to have turned a corner to start the 2025-26 campaign, it’s clear that he is not a fit under head coach Steve Kerr’s system and that he’ll never […]

The Atlanta Hawks have become a popular hypothetical trade destination for superstar talent that could become available. Giannis Antetokounmpo, amid the Milwaukee Bucks’ mess, has been commonly linked to the Hawks. But with a bombshell from Shams Charania in recent days stating that the Dallas Mavericks will indeed be exploring the trade market for Anthony […]

The Sacramento Kings aren’t a very well-run franchise, although longtime fans of the NBA would know that already. They’ve managed to fumble their playoff team that got the entire city of Sacramento up on its feet back in 2023, and they are now looking likely to start over from scratch. But this Kings front office […]

It’s only a matter of time before New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson plays for another team, and the Washington Wizards should use him to advance their rebuild. The Wizards are developing their young core as they lose enough games to make sure they keep their top-eight protected 2026 first-round draft pick, but this season […]

It is hard for Spencer Jones not to chuckle when he pauses to consider what his 10-year-old self would think of his life today. The 24-year-old is now a certified NBA starter, yet the concept of life in the league didn’t even cross his mind until late in his college career. There was no red carpet, […]

Just when the Memphis Grizzlies thought Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. were ready to wrap up the Western Conference standings, Tuomas Iisalo’s squad found a lump of coal in their Christmas stocking. A season marked by constant reintegration and recalibration has hit another obstacle. Unfortunately, after less than a month in the rotations, Zach […]

Since 2019, Coby White has given his all to the Chicago Bulls. He has been their consistent scorer, a team leader, and a fan favorite, no doubt. So when rumors swirled that the Minnesota Timberwolves had inquired about a possible trade for White, some Bulls fans might have been disappointed.  The reason is that White […]

Steve Nash and LeBron James marveled at the Houston Rockets’ elite offensive rebounding ability on their latest “Mind the Game” podcast, a strength that has helped redefine their identity. “Steven Adams is getting over one in four offensive rebounds when he is on the court,” Nash explained. “Our highest values are lay-ups, free throws, then […]

Chris Paul’s vocal leadership style isn’t for everyone — ask the 2025-26 Los Angeles Clippers — but for the 2019-20 Oklahoma City Thunder, it was more than the organization had ever anticipated. It impacted a young group of players in the best kind of ways, led by first-round pick Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and two-way guard Lu […]

The NBA trade season is upon us. Many players who just signed contracts this past offseason will become trade-eligible on Dec. 15, which has become the unofficial start of when trade talk really picks up around the NBA. Not to mention, the G League Winter Showcase in Orlando, taking place from Dec. 19-22, will paint […]

PHOENIX– What is this said ‘dog mentality’ the Phoenix Suns have? Players and coaches have adopted the philosophy ever since the Suns hired head coach Jordan Ott back in the summer. Some have taken that mantra to heart, most notably Dillon Brooks and Collin Gillespie. The latter has caught plenty by surprise, but not the […]

On paper, the Los Angeles Lakers are doing well. They are 17-6 and in second place in the Western Conference. After returning from injury, LeBron James has gradually come back to life, averaging 17.6 points and 7.6 assists. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic is in his prime during his first full season with the Lakers, averaging 35.0 […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder is on the cusp of extending its longest winning streak in franchise history amid a near-perfect 2025-26 regular season. Despite injuries to key players such as All-Star Jalen Williams, Lu Dort, and Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder found a way to win again — even without its […]

Traditional numbers don’t tell the full story of Jaren Jackson Jr.’s season so far, but no one in the locker room is worried about those metrics. Tuomas Iisalo is not concerned about the 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year’s offensive opportunities diminishing either. The two-time All-Star’s willingness to sacrifice individual production for team success […]

As the NBA’s marathon schedule grinds on, the depth of a roster is often what separates playoff contenders from the pack. However, managing rotational minutes can be a persistent headache for any coach. Thankfully for the drama-free Memphis Grizzlies, Tuomas Iisalo’s remedy has emerged in the form of a hungry second unit that is tilting […]

While the Indiana Pacers try to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference, they’ll have to continue doing so without star Tyrese Haliburton. The Pacers guard is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season following an Achilles tear in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. But that also opened a new door for Haliburton with […]

The fantasy football playoffs have arrived. That means every lineup decision carries real weight. Week 15 is a true crossroads moment. Win, and you advance toward glory. Lose, and your season ends with a thud. With bye weeks finally in the rear-view mirror, fantasy managers have access to all 32 NFL starting quarterbacks. Well, that […]

The Ja Morant’s Memphis Grizzlies have rediscovered an edge at just the right time, stifling opponents while surging up the Western Conference standings. Tuomas Iisalo has spent the first weeks of December rewiring the locker room’s identity, turning a sluggish start into one of the NBA’s most quietly dominant defensive stretches heading into the holidays. […]

Injuries always play a major role during every NBA season, and they are directly impacting this year’s MVP race. Victor Wembanyama has already missed a handful of games as a result of his calf injury, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is also sidelined with his calf issue. Both players are in danger of missing 17 or more […]

As the New Orleans Pelicans begin a blistering holiday schedule, two of their key perimeter threats have unfortunately hit a cold spell from beyond the arc. However, despite the season-long struggles to find a consistent rhythm, interim coach James Borrego is not sounding any alarms about Trey Murphy III or Saddiq Bey. The team’s two […]

A lot is happening around the NBA past the quarter mark of the 2025-26 season, aside from teams moving up and down the NBA power rankings. The NBA Cup will continue this upcoming week, with the winners of the knockout games heading to Las Vegas for a chance to win the third-ever in-season tournament. There […]

When Pat Riley smells opportunity, he pounces. The Miami Heat have long been defined by their fearlessness. They do not flinch at chasing stars or reimagining themselves for another title run. Now, the whispers around Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future have grown louder than ever. The Milwaukee Bucks’ struggles and the Greek Freak’s mounting frustration might just […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Wizards have resorted to “Finding Nemo” references to keep themselves sane amid a 3-19 start, but Saturday’s 131-116 loss to the Atlanta Hawks was a step forward after a 45-point loss to the Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown-less Boston Celtics on Thursday. Nothing was more encouraging for the organization’s future […]

Playing with “speed and violence” has been a tenet of James Borrego’s since being elevated to the head job. Turning every change of possession, make or miss by the opponent, into an opportunity for Jeremiah Fears to ignite the break has been a catalyst for quick transitions and an aggressive pace. Fellow rookie Derik Queen […]

Learning curves are usually steep at the NBA level and interim head coach James Borrego knows it’s especially challenging for rookies. That is why the New Orleans Pelicans are simplifying their defensive schemes to shield Derik Queen from being overwhelmed defensively, an approach that is already paying off as the 19-year-old adjusts to NBA speed […]

MIAMI – As the Miami Heat lost to the struggling Sacramento Kings on Saturday night, 127-111, it marked the team’s third straight loss and fourth of its last five contests. While some within the Heat aren’t concerned about its recent slump, the one aspect of the team that needs to come back is its fast-paced […]

The New York Knicks are having a good season by any measure. After defeating the Orlando Magic on Sunday, they advanced to 16-7, which is good for second place in the watered-down Eastern Conference. They boast the fourth-best point differential per game in the league. And they staunchly defend their home court, having won 13 […]

Group play of the NBA Cup is over, and eight teams have advanced to the knockout stage. An assortment of teams are competing for the in-season tournament title this year. There is one of the NBA’s biggest surprises in the Toronto Raptors, the defending NBA Finals champions in the Oklahoma City Thunder, and a team […]

The NBA MVP award is the most prestigious individual accomplishment a player can earn in basketball, and it dates back all the way to the 1955-56 season. The NBA Cup MVP has only been in existence for two years, but it is quickly becoming coveted hardware. While the championship team only plays seven in-season tournament […]

It’s Pat Spencer’s world, and we’re all just living in it. Coming off a heartbreaking buzzer-beater loss in Philadelphia 48 hours earlier, expectations were low for the Warriors against the star-studded Cleveland Cavaliers. With six players inactive due to injury, including Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, it seemed like the Dubs were saving their health […]

NEW YORK – The New York Knicks had a successful Friday night, dominating the Utah Jazz, 146-112. OG Anunoby returned to the lineup and scored 11 points in 23 minutes. New York improved to 15-7 overall and 12-1 at home. It was a matchup against old friends for Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson, who spent almost […]

The Los Angeles Clippers’ acquisition of John Collins has blown up quite miserably in their faces. Collins was coming off an excellent 2024-25 season with the Utah Jazz, starring in one of the worst teams in the league. Many believed that he was too good for the Jazz that he was forced to sit the […]

Are the Los Angeles Clippers going to blow everything up? It’s become more and more likely with each passing loss and with the bombshell news that is Chris Paul being sent home from his farewell tour. But the Clippers are so deep into the sunk cost that is the Kawhi Leonard era that they may […]

The Los Angeles Clippers are a mess of a franchise right now, and this is the kind of mess that will take years to dig themselves out of. The Chris Paul saga is just a symptom of the Clippers’ growing dysfunction, and it’s not like they’re winning a ton of games to make up for […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Wizards lost by a combined 64 points to the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics over the last two games, and Thursday’s 141-101 home defeat to the Celtics was soul-crushing. However, veterans CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton won’t let the young group lose its way. Second-year wing Kyshawn George explained after […]

The Atlanta Hawks have at least made clear over the start of the 2025-26 season that they are not hapless anymore whenever Trae Young is not on the floor. In fact, Young’s absence seems to have empowered the rest of the team. Jalen Johnson, in particular, looks like an All-NBA player in the making, and […]