Category: NBA Teams

NBA teams blog

Wizards to honor John Wall at home game on January 29

The Washington Wizards will celebrate five-time NBA All-Star John Wall on Thursday, Jan. 29, when the team hosts the Milwaukee Bucks in a game scheduled to be televised on Amazon Prime Video at 7:00 pm. The first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive a John Wall bobblehead.

Selected with the first overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Wall led the Wizards to three playoff appearances. He is the franchise leader in total assists (5282) and steals (976), and was named to the 2010-11 All-Rookie First Team, 2014-15 All-Defensive Second Team, and 2016-17 All-NBA Third Team. Wall retired in August 2025 and immediately joined the broadcasting ranks, including a role as studio analyst for Monumental Sports Network’s Wizards coverage.

Wall’s celebration will tip off on Tuesday, Jan. 27, when fans will have a chance to visit the “Wall of Fame” pop-up store located by section 118 in the Overtime Shop at Capital One Arena. T-shirts, jerseys and other merchandise celebrating Wall will be available for purchase. The scorer’s table from Wall’s iconic game-winning shot against the Boston Celtics during the 2016 playoffs will be on display on the concourse.

“From the moment John Wall joined our organization, he set the standard for what it means to represent the Wizards franchise—with integrity, competitiveness, and an unwavering commitment to his teammates, our fans, and the District,” said Ted Leonsis, founder, chairman, managing partner and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “John’s impact extends far beyond the stat sheet. He embraced D.C. as his home and gave back to the city with deep pride and purpose. Within our organization, he helped elevate everyone around him and left a lasting mark that will be felt for generations. We are incredibly grateful for his contributions and proud to celebrate an extraordinary career.”

Mavericks and Rockets will play two October 2026 preseason games in Macao

The NBA and Sands China Ltd. (Sands) have announced that The NBA China Games 2026 will feature the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets playing preseason games on Friday, Oct. 9 and Sunday, Oct. 11 at The Venetian Arena in Macao.

In addition to the two games, the NBA and Sands will host interactive fan events including NBA House and NBA Fan Day, youth basketball clinics, and a Community Impact Week hosted by NBA Cares and Sands Cares featuring social impact programming focused on health, wellness and sustainability.

The NBA China Games 2026 will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories on television, digital media and social media. The games and surrounding events will be supported by a roster of marketing partners, including Amazon Web Services, Gatorade, Nike, and Tissot.

Wizards notes after 120-112 win over Magic

The Washington Wizards defeated the Orlando Magic, 120-112, on Tuesday night at Capital One Arena. Washington has now won five of its last seven games overall and four of their last six contests at home.

With the win, Washington snapped an 11-game losing skid to Orlando, picking up their first win over the Magic since Jan. 21, 2023, and ending their longest losing streak to Orlando in series history.

Washington recorded 12 steals, its seventh game this season with at least 10+ steals, now doing so in two in the last three games. The Wizards are now 4-3 in games with 10+ steals as a team.

Washington connected at a .939 clip (31-33) from the free-throw line.

The Wizards’ 31 made free throws mark a season high.

The Wizards set a season-high in points off turnover with 29 (previously 28, Jan. 2 vs. Brooklyn).

Washington had six players top double figures

Washington guard CJ McCollum finished with 27 points (11-19 FG, 3-7 3PT) and added six rebounds and five assists in 38 minutes of action.

McCollum tallied his third 20/5/5 (pts/rebs/asts) game of the season, last doing so on Dec. 20 at Memphis.

McCollum has now scored 20+ points in 14 total games this season, now doing so in back-to-back outings.

Wizards forward/center Alex Sarr scored 23 points (7-14 FG, 2-5 3PT, 7-7 FT) and collected eight rebounds, two assists, four blocks and one steal in 31 minutes of action.

Sarr collected his fourth game this season with at least 20+ points and 4+ blocks, now doing so for the third time in his last six games.

Sarr’s four games with 20+ points and 4+ blocks ranks second in the NBA behind only Victor Wembanyama (5 games).

Sarr has now topped 20+ points in 10 games this season, which ties his total from his rookie year (2024-25).

Sarr has now topped 10+ points in 22 of 26 outings this season.

Injury update on Cavs swingman Max Strus

Cavaliers guard/forward Max Strus recently underwent evaluation and imaging on his left foot following offseason surgery to repair a Jones fracture. The evaluation and imaging revealed positive progress, but additional time is required for the fracture to fully heal.

Strus will continue to advance in the rehabilitation and conditioning phase of his recovery along with ongoing medical treatment.

He is scheduled for a follow-up evaluation with Dr. David Porter, who performed the procedure, in conjunction with the Cavaliers’ medical and training staff, within the next four weeks.

Kevin Garnett joins Timberwolves organization as Team Ambassador

The Minnesota Timberwolves have announced that franchise legend and Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett has officially joined the organization as Team Ambassador, marking a historic reunion between the team and its most iconic player. Garnett’s return underscores a shared commitment to honoring the franchise’s past while building sustained success and a bold new future for Minnesota basketball fans to celebrate.

Garnett, the greatest player in Timberwolves history, will serve in a visible and active role with the Timberwolves and Lynx, strengthening the teams’ deep Minnesota roots by attending select home games, elevating the fan experience, championing community initiatives across the Twin Cities and helping shape the teams’ stories through exclusive content. The Timberwolves will honor Garnett and his profound legacy by retiring his No. 21 jersey. Details of the ceremony will be announced at a later date.

“I’m thrilled to be back home,” said Garnett. “Minnesota is where it all began, where I was young, hungry and learning how to compete at the highest level. I’m excited to be back in the Twin Cities at a time when Marc and Alex are setting a bold new vision for this franchise. Their leadership has brought fresh energy to the organization, and I’m excited to help build what’s next for the Timberwolves, our fans and this community.”

“The Big Ticket is back! Kevin Garnett is synonymous with the Minnesota Timberwolves,” said Co‑Chairmen Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez. “Bringing Kevin home has been a priority since we acquired the teams. He is the greatest player in Timberwolves history, and his impact on our franchise and community is immeasurable. This is more than a reunion—it’s a statement about honoring our past while pursuing excellence and building one of the most admired sports organizations in the world. We couldn’t be prouder to welcome him home.”

Spurs sign Stanley Umude to Two-Way contract

The San Antonio Spurs recently signed guard Stanley Umude to a Two-Way contract.

In a related move, San Antonio has waived Kyle Mangas.

Umude, 6-6/210, appeared in 11 games with the Austin Spurs across the Tip-Off Tournament and regular season, averaging 20.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 35.8 minutes. He most recently scored a season-high 34 points vs. Stockton Kings on Dec. 19.

The San Antonio native played in 47 NBA games with Detroit and Milwaukee while on Two-Way contracts, averaging 3.1 points and 1.4 rebounds in 8.4 minutes. He was also a member of the Bucks 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Championship team. In the G League, he holds career averages of 16.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 57 games with Austin, Wisconsin Herd and Motor City Cruise.

Mangas originally signed a Two-Way contract with San Antonio on Dec. 12, 2025. In two seasons with Austin, he has appeared in 21 games (18 starts), averaging 17.0 points, 4.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 33.2 minutes.

Pacers sign Garrison Mathews to 10-day contract

The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday that the team was granted an NBA Hardship Exception and subsequently signed guard Garrison Mathews to a 10-day contract.

Mathews will wear number 24 and is available for Friday’s Emirates NBA Cup game at Cleveland, which will air on Amazon Prime at 7:00pm ET.

Via the Indy Star:

Teams are allowed to sign players to hardship exception contracts if they have at least four players who have missed three consecutive games and who are expected to miss at least two more weeks. The Pacers had six players listed as “out” for Wednesday’s game against the Hornets — All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, forwards Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith and Johnny Furphy and guards Kam Jones and Quenton Jackson. Haliburton is out for the season, Toppin is out until at least Feb. 1. Nesmith, who missed his third consecutive game Wednesday, is out approximately four weeks. The Pacers haven’t given timelines on Jones, Jackson or Furphy but Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Jones is still “aways out” with a lower back stress reaction.