Gilgeous-Alexander was ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Detroit Pistons as he continues to work his way back from an abdominal strain that has sidelined him since Feb. 3. It will be his 11th missed game this season, and he'll need to play in at least 16 of the remaining 22 regular-season games to be eligible for a second consecutive MVP award.
Newly-promoted Chicago Bulls two-way point guard Mac McClung will link up with his Chicago teammate Matas Buzelis for 2026 All-Star Weekend's Castrol Rising Stars event on Feb. 13, according to the league's publicity department. McClung, who has won the last three straight Slam Dunk Contests (including last year's, against Buzelis and others), is switching from the Saturday slate to the less prestigious Friday schedule.
SAN FRANCISCO Steph Curry will be a starter for February's 15th's 2026 NBA All-Star game at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, the league announced on Monday morning. The Warriors' superstar joins Luka Doncic, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama in the West's starting lineup. It is Curry's 12th All-Star nod and 11th start, making him one of only 17 players to earn a dozen appearances in the game with a single franchise.
On Saturday, the league's top-tier talents will demonstrate their skills in the 3-point shoot-off, shooting stars competition and slam dunk contest. Most notably, Damian Lillard will participate in the 3-point contest despite an Achilles injury that has kept him out the entire season. The two-time 3-point champion will be challenged by Donovan Mitchell, who leads the league in 3-pointers made, along with other sharpshooters, including Tyrese Maxey and Devin Booker.
"I was definitely hyped," Allen told ESPN. "I had Paul Pierce in my ear telling me, 'Get ready! You stick me every day [in practice]. You should be ready. Let's go! That's Kobe Bryant!'" The No. 25 pick in the 2004 draft was trying to soak everything in and get himself in the right frame of mind for the 54th game of his young NBA career.
Averaging a career-high 14.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists, while shooting 45.9% from field goal range and an impressive 40.5% from beyond the arc, the 22-year-old has raised eyebrows about how good he can be in the coming years. The 6-foot-8 wing has the offensive versatility to play both on and off the ball, the size to serve as a capable defender that can guard multiple position and the IQ to be an impact player on both ends of the court.
Through 38 games, Porter has authored the kind of season coaches typically reward when ballots land on their desks. He entered the day 14th among qualified players in scoring at a career-high 25.6 points per game, fifth in the East, while handing out a career-best 3.2 assists. He ranks seventh in the NBA with 145 made 3-pointers, the most by any player through his first 38 games as a Net, and second in the league with 3.8 made 3s per game, trailing only Stephen Curry.
