Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving will miss the rest of the current campaign as he continues his recovery from major knee surgery.
The 33-year-old has not featured this season after undergoing an operation to repair a torn left anterior cruciate ligament last March.
Irving’s agent confirmed the nine-time All-Star is now targeting a full return for the start of the 2026-27 season.
Focus on long-term fitness
Shetellia Riley Irving told ESPN the decision was made to prioritise the veteran’s conditioning ahead of a future title bid.
“This is about Kyrie being 1,000% when he comes back and giving himself the best chance to chase a championship next season.”
The former Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics playmaker missed the final 20 games of the previous term when he first sustained the injury.
His continued absence is a significant blow to a Dallas side that has struggled to find consistency without their primary ball-handler.
Mavericks signal rebuild
Since the 2016 NBA champion arrived in Texas during the 2022-23 season, the team boasts a 75-53 record with him in the line-up.
Conversely, the franchise has won just 42 of the 117 games played without Irving available.
The Mavericks currently sit fourth in the Southwest Division with a 19-35 record entering the post-All-Star break schedule.
Management signaled a shift in strategy earlier this month by trading Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards.
That nine-player blockbuster deal indicated the beginning of a rebuilding phase for the Western Conference organisation.
Doug Moe, the former Denver Nuggets coach who engineered one of the most potent offenses of the 1980s, has died at the age of 87.
The Nuggets confirmed the news in a statement on Tuesday, paying tribute to a “one of a kind leader”.
Moe is best remembered for his tenure in Denver between 1980 and 1990, where his teams became synonymous with a high-scoring run-and-gun style.
A golden era in Denver
Under his guidance, the franchise reached the postseason in nine consecutive years.
His tactical approach saw the Colorado team lead the NBA in scoring on six separate occasions.
The offensive innovator accumulated 432 victories during his time in the Mile High City.
That tally stood as a franchise record until current boss Michael Malone surpassed it last season.
“He will forever be loved and remembered by Nuggets fans and his banner commemorating his 432 career victories as head coach will hang in the rafters to forever honor his incredible legacy.”
Denver Nuggets statement
The organisation added that their thoughts were with Moe’s wife Jane and his son David.
From ABA star to coaching great
Before moving to the bench, Moe enjoyed a successful playing career in the American Basketball Association (ABA).
He was a three-time All-Star between 1968 and 1970.
The forward also helped the Oakland Oaks secure the league championship in 1969.
Moe eventually transitioned to coaching, starting as an assistant to former team-mate Larry Brown.
A lifetime of achievement
He took his first head coaching role with the San Antonio Spurs in 1976, leading the Texans for four seasons.
Moe retired with a career record of 628-529, which ranks as the 19th highest win total in NBA history.
In 2018, his contributions to the sport were recognised with the prestigious Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award.
Oklahoma City Thunder remain clear favourites for the NBA title as the Cleveland Cavaliers see their odds shorten following the high-profile acquisition of James Harden.
Thunder and Nuggets lead the pack
Halfway through the campaign, the landscape at the top of the market has solidified with Mark Daigneault’s side consolidating their status as the team to beat.
The Thunder are currently listed at +130, a significant tightening from their preseason price of +200.
Trailing them are the Denver Nuggets, who sit as clear second favourites at +450 having also seen their odds improve considerably since the season began.
The 2023 champions were a popular selection during the preseason, attracting the highest volume of bets at several major sportsbooks.
DraftKings Sportsbook director Johnny Avello confirmed that the Nuggets represent a liability for bookmakers due to the heavy betting volume sustained throughout the season.
Both the Thunder and the Nuggets currently hold a 16% share of the total handle, marking them out as the dominant forces in the eyes of the betting public.
Cavaliers surge following Harden deal
The most significant market movement concerns the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have re-entered the conversation following a major roster shake-up.
Having started the season at +650, Cleveland drifted out to +3000 during a turbulent opening few months.
However, the arrival of James Harden from the LA Clippers in early February has revitalised the franchise’s prospects.
The Cavaliers went unbeaten with the former league MVP in the lineup prior to the All-Star break.
This run of form has seen their price slashed to +1200, positioning them as the third favourites for the championship.
Despite the optimism from punters, some industry experts remain cautious regarding the impact the veteran guard can have in the postseason.
“I mean, he will help, but how drastically he’ll help [is the question],” said Caesars Sportsbook NBA lead David Lieberman.
“But I think as far as bettors go, I don’t blame them for getting in on that when their price was a little bit higher. I do think on paper they are maybe one of the top choices in the East.”
Pistons attracting support in the East
While the focus remains on the favourites, the Detroit Pistons have emerged as a surprising popular selection among the public.
Currently leading the Eastern Conference standings, Detroit sits fifth in the championship betting market at +1500.
Data suggests bettors are buying into the Pistons’ resurgence, with the franchise attracting nearly a quarter of all tickets to win the conference in February.
The Los Angeles Lakers have shifted their focus to a potentially explosive summer overhaul after limiting their trade deadline activity to a single deal for Luke Kennard.
The franchise concluded their mid-season business with a solitary move to bolster their perimeter shooting.
Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick were sent to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kennard.
This conservative approach signals a strategy to preserve assets for the offseason rather than chasing short-term fixes.
The Lakers, currently led by the trio of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, recently secured a season sweep over the Philadelphia 76ers.
However, the focus within the front office has turned to the flexibility available to them this summer.
Uncertainty surrounds James’ future
The immediate future of the franchise hinges significantly on LeBron James.
The 41-year-old icon is nearing the end of his record-setting 23rd season.
James has repeatedly stated he remains unsure whether he will return for another campaign or retire.
His decision will drastically impact the team’s salary cap situation.
Austin Reaves is also approaching a pivotal moment in his career.
The guard turned down a previous extension and is now eligible for a five-year maximum contract worth $241m.
Forward Rui Hachimura, currently on an expiring contract, is set to enter free agency as well.
Hachimura admitted the trade deadline brings inevitable speculation.
“With the Lakers, we get a lot of rumors,” Hachimura said.
“But a lot of times, those rumors are bulls—. We have the time now where it’s like, ‘OK, this is our group now.'”
War chest ready for summer
General manager Rob Pelinka has positioned the organisation to be a major player in the upcoming market.
The Lakers are projected to have $51m in salary cap space available.
Furthermore, the front office will have three first-round draft picks available to trade.
These assets – the 2026, 2031, and 2033 picks – could be used to pursue a third superstar, with Giannis Antetokounmpo mooted as a potential target.
Pelinka defended the decision to remain largely inactive during the winter window.
“I would say we were aggressive,” Pelinka said.
“And one form of being aggressive is saying no to moves that come your way that might not be best for the short- and long-term future.”
The strategy leaves the Lakers with 28 games to maximise their current roster before a summer that could redefine the franchise.
Michigan have taken over the number one spot in the Associated Press men’s college basketball poll following back-to-back defeats for long-time leaders Arizona.
The Wolverines have capitalized on the Wildcats’ stumble to claim their first pole position of the 2025-26 season.
Holding a dominant 24-1 record, the Ann Arbor program are currently riding a 10-game winning streak.
Their ascent comes at a crucial juncture, with high-profile fixtures against Purdue and Duke looming on the schedule this week.
Arizona’s historic slide
The Wildcats had enjoyed a comfortable nine-week residency at the summit of the rankings.
However, consecutive losses to Kansas and Texas Tech have proved costly for the former pace-setters.
Arizona have now dropped to fourth, a fall exacerbated by historical trends regarding teams losing momentum after strong starts.
They became only the third Division I team in 40 years to lose consecutive games immediately following a start of 20-0 or better.
Houston and Duke climb
The shake-up at the top has allowed other title contenders to improve their standing within the top five.
Houston have moved up to second place, bolstered by an active six-game winning run.
The Cougars recently secured their 18th straight home victory with a convincing win over Kansas State.
Duke have also been beneficiaries of the reshuffle, climbing one place to sit third in the nation.
The Blue Devils extended their own formidable home record to 29 straight wins after defeating Clemson on Saturday.
Boilermakers and Huskies in the mix
UConn continue to apply pressure on the leading pack from the fifth spot.
Meanwhile, Iowa State occupy sixth place after snapping Kansas’ eight-game winning streak.
Purdue have jumped significantly from 13th to seventh following a strong week of performances.
The Boilermakers were led by Braden Smith, who has now moved into sixth on the all-time Division I career assists list.
Anthony Edwards was named Most Valuable Player as he led Team Stars to victory over Team Stripes in the final of a revamped and refreshingly competitive NBA All-Star Game.
Edwards shines in Inglewood
The Minnesota Timberwolves guard secured the honour after steering his side to a dominant 47-21 win in the deciding contest at the Intuit Dome.
It marked a successful debut for the league’s new four-team tournament format, designed to reignite intensity during the mid-season showcase.
Edwards proved decisive throughout the evening, sinking a tying three-pointer in the opening round-robin game before taking control of the final.
While the earlier contests featured dramatic finishes, the showpiece event saw the younger Stars squad overrun a fatigued Stripes outfit.
Wembanyama sets the tone
Although Edwards lifted the Kobe Bryant Trophy, the heightened competitiveness was largely attributed to the influence of Victor Wembanyama.
The French phenomenon, representing Team World, topped the scoring charts in both of his appearances despite his side failing to progress.
His defensive effort challenged his peers to match his intensity, a factor Edwards acknowledged immediately after the buzzer.
“We chose to compete today, and we came out on top,” the 22-year-old said.
“I ain’t going to lie, Wemby set the tone. He came out and played hard, and we had to follow that.”
A solution to the crisis?
Recent editions of the All-Star Game have drawn heavy criticism for a lack of defensive effort, prompting Commissioner Adam Silver to trial a radical new structure.
This year’s “mini-tournament” pitted two American sides against a World team, leveraging national pride in an Olympic year.
The strategy appeared to pay off, with the preliminary matches featuring overtime periods, buzzer-beaters, and genuine hustle.
“It was a pretty good display of basketball,” Wembanyama observed. “Better than last year, in my opinion.”
“It’s a game we love… so being competitive is the least I can do.”
Leonard thrills home crowd
Before the Stars claimed the title, Team Stripes had looked formidable during the round-robin stage.
LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard delighted the home audience in Inglewood with a 31-point explosion in the third game.
However, the veteran appeared to run out of steam in the final, managing just a single point as the youthful energy of Team Stars prevailed.
Elsewhere, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox and Toronto’s Scottie Barnes provided highlights with dramatic game-winning shots earlier in the evening.
Team World was hampered by the absence of Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic in their second match, with both resting to preserve their health.
Ultimately, the night belonged to Edwards and a format change that may have finally salvaged the reputation of the NBA’s premier showcase.
The NBA icon is entering the final months of his current contract.
LeBron James has admitted he is unsure if he will continue his professional career past this season, stating he simply "wants to live" as his current contract nears its expiration.
The 41-year-old addressed the media ahead of his 22nd NBA All-Star Game appearance in Inglewood.
Despite approaching the end of a record-setting 23rd campaign, the league’s all-time leading scorer could not guarantee a return to the court next year.
"Yeah, I mean, I want to live," James said on Sunday when asked about his future plans.
"When I know, you guys will know. I don’t know. I have no idea. I just want to live, that’s all."
The four-time NBA champion largely deflected questions regarding potential retirement or life after basketball.
Focus on the ‘sprint’
James insisted his priority remains firmly on the Los Angeles Lakers’ immediate success rather than his personal uncertainty.
He is currently finishing the final year of a deal worth $52.6m (£41.6m).
"Right now I’m still locked in on what’s going on right now, our season. And that’s where my mind is," he explained.
The veteran forward emphasised that his motivation remains unchanged as the team prepares for the post-All-Star break schedule.
"We’ve got past the marathon and now the sprint is about to start."
Los Angeles currently sit fifth in the Western Conference standings with a 33-21 record.
However, consistency has been elusive for the franchise, who have scored exactly as many points (6,264) as they have conceded through 54 games.
Health holds the key
James believes the availability of key personnel will dictate how the rest of the season unfolds.
"I know that when we’ve played some of our best basketball this season, we look very good," James noted.
"On the other side, when we’ve been terrible, we’ve looked disgusting."
The roster has struggled to keep its star trio on the floor simultaneously.
James, Austin Reaves, and Luka Doncic have managed only 10 games together so far, resulting in a 7-3 record in those contests.
Doncic, who recently missed four matches with a mild hamstring strain, is expected to play limited minutes in the All-Star game.
With the squad returning to full strength, the focus shifts to their clash against the LA Clippers on Friday.
Ownership aspirations
While his playing future remains ambiguous, the Akron native did acknowledge his long-term business goals.
James confirmed he still harbours a strong interest in joining an NBA ownership group.
This possibility may accelerate following comments from commissioner Adam Silver, who indicated the Board of Governors will discuss the topic in March.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has insisted he remains fully committed to the Milwaukee Bucks "as of today", dismissing recent trade speculation despite the franchise’s difficult season.
The two-time MVP addressed the intense scrutiny surrounding his position at the franchise during the NBA All-Star Weekend.
Speaking to ESPN, the Greek forward emphasised his loyalty to the organisation that drafted him in 2013.
"As of today, I’m committed to the Milwaukee Bucks," Antetokounmpo said.
"I’m committed to the people that I work with, my teammates, the coaching staff, Coach Doc [Rivers] and [GM] Jon [Horst] in the front office."
He added: "What I’ve said from the beginning of this year is that, out of my mouth and the way I’ve carried myself, you will never hear me say I don’t want to be a Milwaukee Buck."
Speculation and struggles
The reaffirmation of loyalty comes after a turbulent period for the 2021 NBA champions.
Milwaukee currently sit 12th in the Eastern Conference standings with a disappointing 23-30 record.
Reports prior to the 5 February trade deadline suggested the franchise had listened to offers for their talisman, with the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat among those interested.
While no move materialised, sources indicated that both the player and the organisation might re-examine the situation in the offseason.
Despite the uncertainty, the 30-year-old has maintained a public stance of defiance, recently posting a clip from the film The Wolf of Wall Street to social media implying he was not leaving.
"This is my team, and I love it," he reiterated.
Chasing the ‘steak’
While pledging his immediate future to Milwaukee, the eight-time All-Star acknowledged the temptation of playing elsewhere and his desperate hunger for success.
He admitted to childhood dreams involving the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers.
"Growing up, you dream, ‘Oh, what if I played for the Knicks, Madison Square Garden? What if I get drafted by the Lakers and I’m teammates with Kobe?’," he said.
However, his primary motivation remains replicating the glory of his 2021 championship run.
Antetokounmpo used a vivid culinary metaphor to describe his drive for a second ring.
"You want that steak again," he explained, likening the title win to tasting a delicious meal.
Injury concerns
The Bucks have been forced to navigate much of their recent slump without their star player on the court.
Antetokounmpo has been sidelined since 23 January with a strained right calf.
Although selected as an All-Star, he will not participate in Sunday’s revamped format.
Head coach Doc Rivers stated last week that despite the team’s lowly position, there is no intention to shut the forward down for the remainder of the campaign.