Latest Basketball News

đź“…February 19, 2026 at 1:00 AM
NBA All-Star weekend concludes with format changes and playoff preparations; Clippers-Nuggets matchup highlights Thursday's games.
1

NBA All-Star Format Proves Successful with Highest Viewership in 15 Years

The USA vs. the World game format generated the league's highest All-Star viewership in 15 years, with the All-Star game averaging nearly 9 million viewers on NBC and TelemundoSource 4. Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves won MVP with 32 points and 9 rebounds, while Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs led the World team with 33 points and 8 reboundsSource 4.

2

NBC Proposes Fourth Event for All-Star Saturday Night

Following the success of the All-Star Game format changes, NBC is pitching improvements to All-Star Saturday, including a potential fourth event such as a 1-on-1 or 2-on-2 tournamentSource 4Source 6. The network has also enlisted newly hired analyst Vince Carter to help reimagine the Dunk Contest to attract top-tier talentSource 6.

3

Clippers Face Nuggets in Thursday Night Matchup

The Los Angeles Clippers (26-28) are 4-point underdogs against the Denver Nuggets (35-20) on Thursday, February 19 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, with tipoff at 10:30 p.m. ETSource 1. NumberFire predicts a Clippers win with 54.8% probability, despite the spread favoring DenverSource 1.

4

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray Lead Nuggets into All-Star Break Conclusion

Nikola Jokic continues his MVP-caliber season averaging 28.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 10.7 assists, while teammate Jamal Murray averages 25.7 points and 7.6 assistsSource 1. The Nuggets enter the second half of the season as a top-tier contender with a 35-20 recordSource 1.

5

Kawhi Leonard Drives Clippers Despite Injury History

Kawhi Leonard is averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for the Clippers this seasonSource 1. The star forward is key to Los Angeles' playoff aspirations as they attempt to climb back into contention from their 26-28 recordSource 1.

6

Bennedict Mathurin Emerging as Third Star for Clippers

Bennedict Mathurin is averaging 17.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 42.5% from the field and 36.6% from three-point range for the ClippersSource 1. His consistent offensive contributions provide crucial depth for Los Angeles heading into the second halfSource 1.

7

John Collins Provides Efficient Scoring off the Bench

John Collins is averaging 13.8 points per game while shooting an impressive 56.6% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc for the ClippersSource 1. His efficient play has made him a valuable complementary piece to Leonard and MathurinSource 1.

8

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Addresses Tanking Concerns

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated during All-Star Weekend that the league is seeing worse tanking behavior this year than recent memory and pledged stricter oversight of teams' conduct moving forwardSource 2. Silver emphasized that the league will examine "the totality of all the circumstances" this season to combat intentional losing strategiesSource 2.

9

Jabari Walker Signs Multi-Year Deal with 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers signed former 57th overall pick Jabari Walker to a standard 2-year, $3.35 million contract after his two-way eligibility expiredSource 2. Walker has shown promising defensive contributions for the team that many believe the box score doesn't fully captureSource 2.

10

Chicago Bulls Positioned to Fade Post-All-Star Break

The Chicago Bulls enter the second half with a 24-31 record, having traded leading scorer Coby White to Charlotte and center Vucevic to Boston at the deadlineSource 5. The Bulls lost 9 of their final 10 games before the break and are considered a team to fade moving forward due to their lack of talent and multiple injured startersSource 5.