Bobby Webster Enters First Trade Deadline With Full Control, No Pressure For Big Move
Bobby Webster has full autonomy and faces no organizational pressure to make a significant trade at his first NBA deadline as Toronto Raptors general manager, sources within MLSE told TSN. However, the organization’s decision to decline elevating him to the president’s role has created a make-or-break season for Webster and several others in the front office.
Webster inherited the primary decision-making role from longtime boss Masai Ujiri over the summer. The Raptors’ surprising 27-19 start has positioned the team ahead of schedule in its rebuilding process, creating multiple strategic options with the February 5 deadline approaching.
Sources within MLSE insist Webster has full autonomy and is under no pressure to take a big swing in his first at-bat. But in declining to elevate him to the president’s role and dangling the title over his head, this was always going to be a make-or-break season for Toronto’s GM as well as several others on his staff and in the organization.
TSN confirmed Toronto appears willing to part with some combination of Immanuel Quickley, Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett in trade discussions. Rival teams have gleaned that impression from exploratory conversations, though the Raptors face significant obstacles executing a major deal.
The front office has explored potential trades for elite players including Anthony Davis and Domantas Sabonis. According to sources, Toronto held internal discussions about acquiring Davis, who turns 33 in March and carries an extensive injury history. However, most interest appears driven by agent Rich Paul attempting to move his client from the Dallas Mavericks.
Webster’s hands are tied by financial constraints created by above-market contracts. Quickley signed a five-year, $175 million extension that has aged poorly amid injuries and inconsistency. Poeltl has logged just seven minutes over the past 19 games due to a nagging back issue.
Most clubs Toronto has contacted aren’t incentivized to absorb long-term salary without receiving premium picks and prospects. Outside of Scottie Barnes and rookie standout Collin Murray-Boyles, the Raptors lack untouchable assets to sweeten potential deals.
The likely scenario involves playing it safe by using Ochai Agbaji’s expiring contract and draft compensation to avoid the luxury tax while adding depth. Toronto has checked in on Dallas center Daniel Gafford, per a source, while Orlando’s Goga Bitadze and Brooklyn’s Day’Ron Sharpe are other names to monitor.
NBA midseason grades: Report cards for every East team, plus each roster's MVP so far
Every team in the Eastern Conference has played at least 41 games, which means we have reached the NBA regular season’s midway point, which means it is high time for a report card. (Our midseason awards can be found here.)
The Detroit Pistons (31-10), led on offense by Cade Cunningham and owners of the East’s best defense, are running away with the No. 1 seed, holding on to a 5.5-game lead in the conference.
Still, the East is as wide open as it has ever been. The second-place and surprising Boston Celtics (26-16) could return Jayson Tatum for the fourth quarter of this season. The New York Knicks (25-18) have been floundering, but we know what they are capable of when they are firing on all cylinders. Same goes for the sloooowly-getting-better Cleveland Cavaliers (24-20).
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers (23-19) and Orlando Magic (23-19) are lurking, if only they could stay healthy. Then there are the Toronto Raptors (26-19), who are as plucky as anybody.
We have yet to see a team in the East that has made the statement: We are prepared to battle whomever emerges from the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. Maybe Detroit is THEM. The Pistons could use one more impact player, but that is for the trade deadline to determine.
Best lineup: Johnson • Nickeil Alexander-Walker • Dyson Daniels • Zaccharie Risacher • Kristaps Porziņģis (+19 in 129 minutes)
Against .500+ teams: 11-18 • Against losing teams: 9-7
Comments: Since trading Trae Young, the Hawks are 3-4, hardly the start they anticipated upon dealing the four-time All-Star point guard. … On the whole, they have been outscored by 1.4 points per 100 meaningful possessions when Young is not on the court, per Cleaning the Glass. … Atlanta was supposed to be a darkhorse candidate to emerge from the East. Instead, it looks like it could be bound for the play-in again. … Is another big move in development?
Best lineup: Brown • Payton Pritchard • Derrick White • Sam Hauser • Neemias Queta (+53 in 134 minutes)
Against .500+ teams: 13-12 • Against losing teams: 13-4
Comments: The Celtics own the East’s second-best record and its second-best net rating, all in the absence of an injured Jayson Tatum. … Tatum’s return could be sooner than later. … Jaylen Brown has played his way into the MVP conversation. … Anfernee Simons and Sam Hauser have also played well enough for the Celtics to consider a) not moving either at the deadline or b) packaging one or both of them, along with picks, for a significant upgrade. … They could use another big.
Best lineup: Porter • Egor Demin • Tre Mann • Noah Clowney • Nicolas Claxton (+18 in 306 minutes)
Against .500+ teams: 5-18 • Against losing teams: 7-11
Comments: The Nets may have won their trade of Cam Johnson, given how well Michael Porter Jr. has played to this point and the fact that they received an additional first-round pick in the deal. … Porter might fetch more first-round assets if he is shopped by the deadline. … The Nets needed one of their five first-round picks to pop, and none of them have, though Egor Demin has played better of late (14-3-3 on 45/45/83 shooting splits in his last 14 appearances).
Best lineup: Knueppel • LaMelo Ball • Brandon Miller • Miles Bridges • Moussa Diabate (+63 in 112 minutes)
Against .500+ teams: 7-16 • Against losing teams: 9-11
Comments: Rookie wing Kon Knueppel, it seems, was a true find at the No. 4 draft slot. … Brandon Miller should be good, too. Together they are a decent foundation. … Is LaMelo Ball a part of that same foundation? He is reportedly open to a trade away from Charlotte, and it might be in the Hornets’ best interest to deal him. … They have not won with him. … Then again, they are +11.5 points per 100 meaningful possessions when Knueppel, Miller and Ball share a court.
Best lineup: Giddey • Matas Buzelis • Kevin Huerter • Isaac Okoro • Nikola Vučević (+5 in 65 minutes)
Against .500+ teams: 10-11 • Against losing teams: 11-11
Comments: Shocker of all shockers: The Bulls are hovering around .500 again, bound for another play-in tournament in a watered-down Eastern Conference, no chance at winning. … Lots to like about Matas Buzelis. … You can’t help but appreciate Nikola Vučević’s efforts, too, even as he seems endlessly frustrated by Chicago’s perpetual quest for mediocrity. … What to do with Coby White, a 2026 free agent? … The Bulls are full of questions, empty of answers.
Best lineup: Mitchell • Darius Garland • De’Andre Hunter • Evan Mobley • Jarrett Allen (+29 in 51 minutes)
Against .500+ teams: 10-15 • Against losing teams: 14-5
Comments: That redundancy of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland in the backcourt and Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the frontcourt? Still a problem. … Far more of a problem than it was a year ago at this time, when the Cavs were bound for a 64-win campaign. … Then again, when all four are on the court, Cleveland is still +7.2 points per 100 meaningful possessions. … Maybe they need a wing. … Maybe they just need Garland healthy. … They need something.
Best lineup: Cunningham • Ausar Thompson • Duncan Robinson • Tobias Harris • Jalen Duren (+57 in 276 minutes)
Against .500+ teams: 14-4 • Against losing teams: 17-6
Comments: The Pistons own the East’s best record and best net rating. How could we complain? … Cade Cunningham has been everything Detroit could have asked for from its No. 1 pick. … Jalen Duren should be an All-Star. … They need to upgrade the Tobias Harris position if they want to seriously compete with the West. … Lauri Markkanen would be nice, but his cost is prohibitive. … Michael Porter Jr.? Now, he would establish them as clear favorites in the East.
Best lineup: Siakam • Andrew Nembhard • Ben Sheppard • Bennedict Mathurin • Jay Huff (+9 in 39 minutes)
Against .500+ teams: 3-25 • Against losing teams: 7-9
Comments: Look at what the Celtics have done without Tatum, and look at what the Pacers have done without Tyrese Haliburton. … It’s not the worst-case scenario. Indiana has quickly pivoted to becoming a tanking team, once it became clear it had no chance of seriously competing for a playoff spot. … In that sense, they are a success, falling to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, in line for a top-four overall pick. Could be a lot worse, actually.
Best lineup: Powell • Tyler Herro • Davion Mitchell • Andrew Wiggins • Bam Adebayo (+27 in 94 minutes)
Against .500+ teams: 10-18 • Against losing teams: 13-3
Comments: The Heat installed a new, almost pick-and-roll-less offense, which was all the rage as the season began, only to settle in at 20th in the NBA on that end by midseason. … They still play at the fastest pace in the league — by a wide margin. … Norm Powell, the Clippers’ loss, is Miami’s gain. … Bam Adebayo, forever an anchor of a top-10 defense. … The Heat are 4-7 with Tyler Herro in the lineup and cannot find any sense of a rhythm as he battles a series of injuries.
Best lineup: Antetokounmpo • Ryan Rollins • Kevin Porter Jr. • AJ Green • Myles Turner (+44 in 173 minutes)
Against .500+ teams: 6-18 • Against losing teams: 12-6
Comments: The Bucks are performing like a top-tier team when Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the court, outscoring opponents by 6.9 points per 100 possessions. … They are operating like a bottom-dweller when he is on the bench, getting outscored by 9.5 points per 100 possessions. … Still, Antetokounmpo insists he will not ask out of Milwaukee, leaving that discussion to the team and his agents. … Might the Bucks make one more desperation move to satiate Giannis?
Best lineup: Brunson • Miles McBride • Josh Hart • Mikal Bridges • Karl-Anthony Towns (+45 in 118 minutes)
Against .500+ teams: 11-13 • Against losing teams: 14-5
Comments: The Knicks, who entered the season as betting favorites to win the East, are now staring up at Detroit in that regard. … They also trail the Tatum-less Celtics in the standings. … They are 2-9 with the 27th-ranked net rating (-8.4) in their last 11 games. … Newsday’s sources suggested the sharks are circling Karl-Anthony Towns, though another report shot down that idea. … It is hard to imagine the Knicks shaking up their core for anyone but Antetokounmpo.
Best lineup: Banchero • Jalen Suggs • Desmond Bane • Franz Wagner • Wendell Carter Jr. (+47 in 117 minutes)
Against .500+ teams: 12-12 • Against losing teams: 11-7
Comments: Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero have played 16 games together; the Magic are 8-8 in those outings. … Hard to tell what Orlando is capable of, since Jalen Suggs has also had trouble staying on the court. … Anthony Black’s progress (16-4-4 on 47/36/73 shooting splits) is a revelation. … Of the 48 players who have taken 15 or more shots per game, Banchero ranks 44th in true shooting percentage (55%). … Can Orlando get back into the top 10 on defense?
Best lineup: Maxey • VJ Edgecombe • Paul George • Dominick Barlow • Joel Embiid (+22 in 142 minutes)
Against .500+ teams: 9-14 • Against losing teams: 14-5
Comments: Tyrese Maxey, what a player. … VJ Edgecombe is going to be a heck of a backcourt partner to Maxey. The 76ers are set there. … Joel Embiid since mid-December: 28-8-4 on 51/30/86 splits, and he can barely even jump. Can he stay healthy through multiple rounds of playoffs? … Paul George is also contributing as somewhat of an outsized role player. … Who wants to face these Sixers in the first round? Just imagine if they acquire another wing.
Best lineup: Barnes • Immanuel Quickley • RJ Barrett • Brandon Ingram • Jakob Poeltl (+18 in 166 minutes)
Against .500+ teams: 11-12 • Against losing teams: 15-7
Comments: The Raptors own the league’s sixth-rated defense, and their rim protector, Jakob Poeltl, has not played since Dec. 21 … You can see why Toronto might be interested in Anthony Davis. … You can see why they might want Ja Morant, too, since the Immanuel Quickley spot could also be upgraded. … But who wants the three years left on his deal after this season? … Collectively, though, we couldn’t ask for much more from this team, especially Brandon Ingram.
Best lineup: Sarr • Bub Carrington • Tre Johnson • Kyshawn George • Khris Middleton (-5 in 41 minutes)
Against .500+ teams: 2-20 • Against losing teams: 8-12
Comments: Is Trae Young ever going to play for this team this season? Maybe they will nurse his quad injury for as long as it takes to pull their tank into a bottom-four spot. … The Wizards are still waiting on a star to emerge from their recent string of first-round draft picks, though Alex Sarr (17-7-3 on 51/35/70 shooting splits and a league-leading 2.2 blocks per game) is a player. … Get Tre Johnson more shots than his 10 per game. … Another high-end lottery pick loading.
WNBA season set to begin May 8 if new CBA is reached, league will take 17-day FIBA World Cup break
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA is set to begin its season on May 8, assuming the league and the players’ union can come to an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement.
Teams will play 44 games over a five-month period with a 17-day break for the FIBA World Cup in early September. The league said last year that with the World Cup this season they would keep the schedule at 44 games despite adding two new teams in Portland and Toronto.
“As we prepare to tip off the WNBA’s historic 30th season, this schedule reflects both how far the league has come and the momentum that continues to drive us forward,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said.
“From welcoming two new organizations in Toronto and Portland, to honoring our history with marquee matchups that connect the league’s first game to today’s stars, the 2026 season will celebrate the WNBA’s past, present, and future. With a record number of games, growing global reach, and unprecedented momentum, this milestone season will help define the next chapter of the WNBA.”
By putting the schedule out now, teams can start selling ticket packages, book travel for away games — including charter flights — and secure arena dates.
“Releasing the 2026 schedule is a key step as we prepare for the WNBA’s 30th season and allows teams, partners, broadcasters, and fans to begin the essential planning for the year ahead,” a WNBA spokesperson said.
All but two teams have at least one back-to-back set of games. Overall, the average of games on consecutive nights is down from 2.4 per team in 2025 to 1.6 this year.
The WNBA hopes to expand the number of games teams play in future years, but that would come in a new CBA.
Training camp is slated to begin April 19, six days after the college draft. The league will have its sixth annual Commissioner’s Cup games in June with the championship game slated to take place on June 30. The All-Star Game is set for Chicago on July 25 with games to resume three days later.
The WNBA will go on break from Aug. 31-Sept. 16 for the World Cup, which will be played in Berlin this year. Teams will have a handful of games after that tournament finishes with the playoffs set to begin on Sept. 27.
All of this is still contingent on the league and union coming to an agreement on a new CBA. The last CBA was announced in the middle of January 2020, a month after it had been agreed to. It could easily take two months from when a new CBA is reached to get to the start of free agency.
The two sides agreed to a moratorium on free agency, which was supposed to begin earlier this month. The moratorium was needed after no new extension was reached on Jan. 9 to negotiate a new CBA. The WNBA and union are now in a “status quo” period where the old CBA is still in effect and the two parties are negotiating on good faith.
Besides free agency, the WNBA also still has to hold an expansion draft for Portland and Toronto.
Other highlights of the schedule include:
— All 15 teams will play opening weekend, highlighted by a WNBA Finals rematch between Las Vegas and Phoenix as well as a matchup of the last two No. 1 picks with Paige Bueckers and Dallas visiting Indiana and Caitlin Clark.
— Los Angeles hosting New York on June 21 on the anniversary of the original matchup between the teams that was the first game in league history.
— Toronto will play two games in Montreal and Vancouver.
— Connecticut will have two games in Hartford and one game in Boston.
Pro Picks: Patriots will top the Broncos and Rams will edge the Seahawks to reach the Super Bowl
The NFL’s conference championship games feature both No. 1 seeds, two division rivals and a backup quarterback making his first start of the season.
The Denver Broncos (15-3) host the New England Patriots (16-3) in the AFC title game on Sunday. It was Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady the previous time they met in the playoffs 10 years ago.
Now, it’s backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham for the Broncos against second-year standout Drake Maye.
Then it’s a showdown between NFC West foes when All-Pro quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams (14-5) visit Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks (15-3) in the their third matchup of the season.
Pro Picks examines both games:
NEW ENGLAND (16-3) at DENVER (15-3)
Line: Patriots minus 5 1/2
The Patriots are road favorites on BetMGM Sportsbook because the Broncos lost quarterback Bo Nix to an ankle injury in a 33-30 overtime win against Buffalo in the divisional round.
Stidham, who was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2019 draft to back up Brady, is making his fifth career start. He hasn’t thrown a pass in a game since 2023.
Maye threw three touchdown passes in the rain and snow last week and New England’s defense intercepted four passes, including a pick-6, in a 28-16 win against Houston. Maye lost two of his four fumbles in the nasty conditions but the Patriots are in the conference championship game for the 16th time in franchise history and first since going to eight in a row with Brady and coach Bill Belichick from 2011-18.
New England is seeking its 12th trip to the Super Bowl and seventh Lombardi Trophy. Coach Mike Vrabel earned three championship rings as a player with the Patriots in the 2000s.
The No. 1 seed Broncos are here for the first time since Manning and a dominant defense beat Brady and the Patriots 20-18 on the way to a victory over Carolina in the Super Bowl. Denver is 8-2 in AFC title games.
The Patriots had the league’s No. 3 offense in total yards behind Maye, running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson and wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte.
Denver’s defense led by All-Pro defensive lineman Zach Allen, edge rusher Nik Bonitto and cornerback Patrick Surtain II was second best in yards and third in points, allowing just 18.3 per game. New England’s defense was right behind, giving up only 18.8.
Broncos coach Sean Payton has valued Stidham as a backup and now he has to build a game plan around him in the biggest game of the season.
The Patriots are 13-5-1 against the spread while Denver is 8-9-1.
PATRIOTS: 20-16
LOS ANGELES RAMS (14-5) at SEATTLE (15-3)
Line: Seahawks minus 2 1/2
The Rams are seeking their third straight road win after eliminating Carolina in the wild-card round and beating Chicago 20-17 in overtime last week. Stafford and coach Sean McVay led them to a Super Bowl title four years ago and this will be the team’s 12th NFC championship game.
The No. 1 seed Seahawks routed the 49ers 41-6 to advance to their fifth conference title game and first in 11 years.
Darnold has struggled against the Rams. Los Angeles sacked Darnold nine times and intercepted him once in a 27-9 wild-card victory last season when he was with Minnesota.
In Week 11, Darnold threw four picks in a 21-19 loss to the Rams. He nearly rallied the Seahawks to victory but Jason Myers missed a 61-yard field goal at the end.
On Dec. 18, Darnold tossed two interceptions and was sacked four times as Seattle fell behind Los Angeles by 16 points in the fourth quarter. But the Seahawks stormed back to tie it up, including a wacky 2-point conversion, and won 38-37 in overtime when Darnold connected with Eric Saubert on another 2-pointer.
The Rams had allowed 30 points per game over a five-game stretch before holding Caleb Williams and the Bears to 17. With Stafford, All-Pro receiver Puka Nacua and star wideout Davante Adams, the Rams led the league in yards and scoring at 30.5 points per game.
The Seahawks were third in scoring (28.4) and their defense featuring defensive tackle Leonard Williams, linebacker Ernest Jones IV and cornerback Devon Witherspoon gave up the fewest points (17.2 per game).
The Rams are 12-7 ATS while the Seahawks are 13-5.
UPSET SPECIAL: RAMS: 27-26
___
Last week: Straight up: 3-1. Against spread: 1-3.
Overall: Straight up: 192-89-1. Against spread: 148-126-8.
Prime time: Straight up: 36-25-1. Against spread: 28-34.
Best Bet: Straight up: 14-6. Against spread: 8-11-1.
Upset Special: Straight up: 14-6. Against spread: 15-5.
___
Pro Picks is a weekly column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. For all previous Pro Picks, head here.
VJ Edgecombe rocked the basketball with his right hand and posterized a Pacer with a dunk that would have made Dr. J proud, a dunk that capped the highlight reel of the short NBA career for the No. 3 pick out of Baylor.
Former NBA star Lamar Odom arrested on suspicion of DUI in Nevada
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former NBA star Lamar Odom was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Las Vegas over the weekend, authorities said Tuesday.
Odom, 46, was pulled over Saturday on Interstate 15 near Harry Reid International Airport, according to Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Shawn Haggstrom.
He could face charges including DUI, excessive speed and failure to properly maintain a travel lane, Haggstrom said.
Haggstrom didn’t have attorney information for Odom. An email seeking comment from a sports agent for Odom wasn’t immediately returned.
Clark County jail records showed that Odom was no longer in custody as of Tuesday.
Odom won championships in 2009 and 2010 with the Los Angeles Lakers. He also played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks during a 14-year NBA career.
His 2013 marriage to Khloe Kardashian was tabloid fodder and the couple appeared together on a reality TV show before divorcing months later. That same year, Odom was arrested for DUI in Los Angeles.
In 2015, Odom made headlines after suffering a medical episode during a stay at a legal brothel in Nevada called Love Ranch.
Timberwolves vs Jazz Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game
Anthony Edwards is usually pretty big on statements, so his omission from the All-Star starters should propel the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight as they visit the Utah Jazz.
Edwards erupted for 55 points in the weekend loss to San Antonio, and my Timberwolves vs. Jazz predictions signal another Ant avalanche here against a Utah team that’s lost four in a row.
Get the latest on this January 20 matchup with my free NBA picks and betting tips.
Timberwolves vs Jazz prediction
Timberwolves vs Jazz best bet: Anthony Edwards Over 30.5 points (-112)
There were always going to be some disappointments in the loaded Western Conference All-Star voting. Anthony Edwards wasn’t exactly a snub – he was tied with Victor Wembanyama for the last starting spot – but we’re talking about one of the faces of the NBA having to settle for coming off the bench.
That feels like the kind of slight that Ant would take personally, and I’m banking on a backlash here in Utah. Plus, Edwards is already in scorching form, returning from a foot issue with a masterpiece in San Antonio, where we had made 19 of his 33 shots and scored 26 points in the fourth quarter.
If he did that against a Wemby-led defense, what damage might he do to the Utah Jazz? Utah has given up 120+ points in five of its last six contests, with the Charlotte Hornets hitting the 150-point mark against Will Hardy’s team earlier this month.
Ant has done more of his scoring damage on the road this year, with a 33.1 PPG mark away from Target Center, and he cooked the Jazz in their prior matchups this season, dropping a combined 72 points across two matchups in November.
Look for Edwards to be in the same ballpark again here, especially with a little extra motivation behind him.
Timberwolves vs Jazz same-game parlay
The Over is 27-16 for the Jazz this season, and this game has all the ingredients for a shootout.
Utah has strung together some embarrassing defensive efforts lately, while Minnesota ranks third in the NBA with 120 PPG. The Over has been a winning ticket in six of the Jazz’s last nine contests.
I’m also riding Donte DiVincenzo’s current hot streak. He’s drilled 3+ three-pointers in six of his last seven games, and there could be some extra shots up for grabs if Naz Reid is ruled out with a shoulder injury.
DiVincenzo finished with 14 points in his last outing against Utah.
Timberwolves vs Jazz SGP
Anthony Edwards Over 30.5 points
Over 244.5
Donte DiVincenzo Over 13.5 points
Our “from downtown” SGP: Gobert back at it
Rudy Gobert is off the injury report after missing Minnesota’s loss to the Spurs, and he’s nailed this Over in four of his last five games.
He’s averaging 13.4 RPG so far this month, and Utah will be shorthanded in the frontcourt if Lauri Markkanen sits out.
Over/Under: Over 244.5 (-110) | Under 244.5 (-110)
Timberwolves vs Jazz betting trend to know
The Timberwolves are 9-1 SU in their last 10 meetings with the Jazz, but only 6-4 ATS. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Jazz.
How to watch Timberwolves vs Jazz
Location
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Date
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN North-X, KJZZ
Timberwolves vs Jazz latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Lakers' Luka Doncic named NBA All-Star Game starter, LeBron James waits for reserve call
Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) was named an NBA All-Star Game starter. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Lakers guard Luka Doncic was voted as a Western Conference starter for the NBA’s All-Star team, becoming the 15th player in NBA history to earn six all-star selections before the age of 27.
Doncic, who received his fifth starting nod, leads the league in scoring (33.3), is fourth in assists (8.6), is making 46.4% of his shots and is hitting 33.7% of his three pointers.
He received the most votes of the All-Stars with 3,402,967.
The other West starters are Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver’s Nikola Jokic and San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama.
The Eastern Conference starters are Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, who received the most votes in the East and the second-most in the league (3,218, 390); Boston’s Jaylen Brown; New York’s Jalen Brunson; Detroit’s Cade Cummingham; and Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey.
The All-Stars were selected by fans, players and media votes with obligation to fill specific positions on each roster.
Lakers forward LeBron James was not voted as a starter, but he still has a chance to be a reserve when the NBA coaches pick the reserves later this month.
James has been named an All-Star team starter an NBA-record 21 times, eight times as a Laker.
Lakers forward Lebron James looks across the arena during a game against the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 28 at Crypto.com Arena. (Jessie Alcheh / Associated Press)
He missed the first 14 games of the season recovering from a sciatica injury, but has been playing at a high level since his return.
James is averaging 22.6 points per game, 6.9 assists and 5.9 assists in his NBA-record 23rd season.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves had been playing at an All-Star level, averaging career-high in points (26.6) points, assists (6.3) and rebounds (5.2) and his shooting 50.7 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from three-point range, but he has missed the 12 games with a left calf strain.
The All-Star game will be played at the Clippers’ home arena, the Intuit Dome, on Feb. 15. It no longer will feature an East versus West matchup.
The new format will be a three-team tournament that will feature two U.S. teams and one world team from the total of 24 players selected.
The U.S. will have 16 players and the world will have eight, of which Doncic will be on because he is from Slovenia.
The teams then play a round-robin of 12-minute games, with the top two teams advancing to the final 12-minute championship game.
Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant registered 24 points, five rebounds and 13 assists on his return from injury [Getty Images]
The Memphis Grizzlies cruised to a 126-109 victory over the Orlando Magic in the first NBA regular-season match to be hosted in London since 2019.
The Grizzlies, who have struggled for consistency this season, raced into early domination at the O2 Arena, leading by 17 points late into the first quarter.
From there it became an even contest, with the score difference varying little in the last three quarters and the Magic’s hopes of a fightback limited by the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies were inspired by star point guard Ja Morant on his return from an ankle sprain that resulted in him missing six matches. His name received the loudest cheer from the London crowd before the tip-off.
Morant put up 20 points in the first half, 15 of which came in the second quarter.
He was only due to make a limited appearance on his return but played for 28 minutes as he scored 24 points, with team-mate Jock Landale adding 21 from the bench.
Wendell Carter Jr impressed for the Magic with 18 points, while team-mate Paolo Banchero added 16 points, eight rebounds and nine assists in a 36-minute outing.
The return to London was the second part of a double-header between the two sides, with the Magic beating the Grizzles 118-111 on Thursday in Berlin.
NBA glam comes to London
Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice was among the many footballers in attendance [Getty Images]
As part of the stardom that the NBA attracts, courtside was full of famous faces, including footballers Virgil van Dijk and Declan Rice, Formula One driver Kimi Antonelli and actress Rosamund Pike.
Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry was also sat in close proximity to the Orlando bench throughout the match, alongside NBA legend Tony Parker.
Both Henry and Pike received cheers from the crowd in atmosphere akin to that of an American game at times. An even better atmosphere would have likely come had it been a more even contest.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was shown on screen, met with a huge chorus of boos, which quickly turned to cheers when the camera swiftly switched to show former Real Madrid and Brazil footballer Marcelo.
Ahead of tip-off, NBA greats John Amaechi and Steve Nash both addressed the crowd on court, with Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama, of the Magic and Grizzlies respectively, also thanking the fans for their support.
American singer Vanessa Williams sung the US national anthem before the game, but was interrupted by one shout in the crowd of “leave Greenland alone” amid Donald Trump’s threats to take over the Danish territory.
What next for the NBA in Europe?
A sellout crowd of 18,424 were in attendance at the NBA’s first regular-season match in London in seven years [Getty Images]
A win for Memphis in London marks the end of the NBA’s two-match stay in Europe.
In 2027, Manchester will host its first regular-season match, joining up with Paris to host a double-header next January. Paris and Berlin will both host matches in 2028.
Long term, the NBA has plans to launch an independent European league that could start as early as the 2027-28 campaign, with conversations currently ongoing with potential investors, sponsors and stakeholders over how that could look.
The NBA has faced resistance from EuroLeague, the continent’s current primary club competition.
EuroLeague has threatened the NBA with legal action, should it approach any current EuroLeague clubs over joining the formation of a new division.
Real Madrid and Alba Berlin both played in last season’s EuroLeague. While Real Madrid remain a EuroLeague team, Alba Berlin withdrew from the competition after 24 years at the start of this season. Both are understood to be open to joining NBA Europe.
By the time Manchester’s Co-op Live hosts an NBA match next January, there will be a much clearer picture over if the league is happening, how it will look and when it is expected to launch.
