NBA NewsFriday, Feb 20, 2026

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla praised his team’s composure after Thursday’s 121-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. “Coming off the break, I thought our guys had great attention to detail, had a great purpose to what we did,” Mazzulla said, highlighting the team’s ability to handle Golden State’s runs. Mazzulla […] The post Joe Mazzulla on Celtics’ resilience in win over Warriors appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman reflected on the team’s 115-114 loss to the LA Clippers, emphasizing discipline and free-throw woes. “That game we just foul too much… we put them in the bonus so early in the fourth quarter… the turnovers and the free throws, that’s what killed us in this game,” he said. […] The post David Adelman breaks down Nuggets’ narrow loss to Clippers appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Nikola Jokic offered insight into Denver’s 115-114 defeat to the LA Clippers, stressing defensive discipline in close games. “Be on the spot, wait for a screen, use the screen and defensively try to not fall when they’re in the shooting motion… maybe pre-rotate a little bit faster, be a little more aggressive,” he said. The […] The post Nikola Jokic on missed opportunities in Nuggets’ loss to Clippers appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

The Dallas Mavericks face the Miami Heat on Friday at Kaseya Center, and both teams enter with key players listed as out or questionable. Dallas will be without Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery) and Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), while Cooper Flagg remains sidelined with a left midfoot sprain. Max Christie and Daniel Gafford […] The post Mavericks vs Heat injury report: who’s out and questionable for Friday appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka gave his team a “C” grade for the first half of the 2025-26 season, emphasizing that standings don’t tell the full story. Speaking to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, Udoka noted, “Somewhere in the middle,” highlighting a gap between potential and consistency. Udoka’s frustration stems from the team’s inconsistency, despite […] The post Ime Udoka sets high standards for Rockets appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Luka Doncic returned from All-Star weekend with a short reset and a clear focus as the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for the final stretch of the 2025-26 season. “It was good, very short, two days, but it was good to be off the mic,” Doncic said after Thursday’s practice. The six-time All-Star logged limited minutes […] The post Luka Doncic on All-Star break, Lakers’ defense and playoff push appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Dallas Mavericks rookie forward Cooper Flagg was seen wearing a walking boot during the All-Star break after suffering a left mid-foot sprain. The injury will sideline him for Dallas’ first game following the break, though the team does not expect the absence to be long-term. Head coach Jason Kidd said Flagg will be viewed as […] The post Jason Kidd says Cooper Flagg out of walking boot appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Isaiah Jackson has seen only limited playing time since arriving with the Los Angeles Clippers, but he said he is focused on adjusting to his new environment and doing whatever he can to “help the team win,” according to Janis Carr. As he continues to get comfortable within the system, the coaching staff is evaluating […] The post Isaiah Jackson fighting for role in Clippers rotation appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Horace Grant, the three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls, shared his perspective on how the 1990s Bulls would perform in today’s league. Speaking with Ryan Ward of EssentiallySports, Grant emphasized the team’s growth and chemistry as key factors in their early championship runs. “The most important thing was how we grew as a unit, […] The post Horace Grant: 90’s Bulls would dominate today’s NBA appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

DeMarcus Cousins shared his thoughts on the 2025-26 MVP race on Run It Back Friday, naming Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham first and Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown second. “First is Cade Cunningham, then it’s Jaylen Brown, then it’s everybody else,” Cousins stated. Cousins’ assessment highlights Detroit Pistons star, who leads the Eastern Conference with […] The post DeMarcus Cousins ranks Cade Cunningham and Jaylen Brown atop MVP race appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Jamaal Wilkes, Lakers Hall of Famer, shared his thoughts on modern NBA stars in a recent interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson. Wilkes highlighted Nikola Jokic as a player who mirrors Magic Johnson’s rare versatility. “Look at Nikola Jokic. He does it all the time; he’s a ‘Point Center,’” Wilkes said, drawing a direct connection […] The post Jamaal Wilkes compares Nikola Jokic’s versatility to Magic Johnson appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

LeBron James made a long putt during an All-Star break golf outing with Jayson Tatum and Kevin Love, sparking NBA free agency rumors about a potential move from the Lakers to the Celtics.