Top Stories

• Wolves have won 4 of their last 6

• Ben Simmons debuts for Clippers

• All Star Weekend starts tonight in SF

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Games of the day

Last Night’s Top Games! (link to the box scores of every game from yesterday)

Naz Reid had 27 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists for the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves in a 116-101 victory over Oklahoma City that stopped the Thunder's seven-game winning streak. Anthony Edwards scored 23 points and Jaden McDaniels added 21 points to propel the Wolves (31-25) into the All-Star break with an inspired performance against the West-leading Thunder (44-10) behind a small-ball strategy used due to the absence of their usual starting frontcourt. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 24 points, nine assists and eight rebounds to lead the Thunder after shooting 2 for 13 in the first half.

Norman Powell scored a season-high 41 points and James Harden added 32 to lift the Los Angeles Clippers to a 120-116 overtime victory over the Utah Jazz. Harden also had 10 rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Los Angeles fought back from a 20-point deficit and beat Utah for the second time in three games. The Clippers never trailed in overtime of Ben Simmons' debut, but did not pull away from the Jazz until Powell made back-to-back baskets to put them up 119-114 with 59 seconds remaining. Kyle Filipowski led Utah with a career-high 20 points and 10 rebounds. Lauri Markkanen also scored 20 points and John Collins chipped in 17. Utah made 13 3-pointers and shot 56% from the perimeter before halftime. It helped the Jazz carve out a 50-30 lead five minutes into the second quarter. Los Angeles rallied before halftime after scoring on eight straight possessions, including six consecutive baskets. Powell scored three baskets himself, the final one trimming Utah’s lead to 57-52. The Clippers did not take a lead over the Jazz until the fourth quarter, going up 103-100 when Powell tipped in a layup and Harden hit a stepback 3 to cap an 11-1 run. Isaiah Collier made two free throws with 45 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. Simmons had 12 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals in his debut.

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League News

Around the League

• The All Star break has officially begun, kicking off tonight with a series of Rising Stars games, followed by All Star Saturday night, with the Skills Challenge, 3pt Contest, and Dunk Contest. Then Sunday, it all ends in the All Star game tournament, where the 3 teams and winner of the rising stars tournament will play to determine the winner of the whole thing. The break will extend until Wednesday, which means 2 days of no basketball.

• Injury Updates: James Wiseman tore his achilles and will be out indefinitely. Taylor Hendricks (leg and ankle) suffered a fractured fibia and dislocated ankle and will be out for the season. Isaiah Jackson (achilles) will be out for the season. DeAnthony Melton (ACL) underwent surgery and will be out for the season. Grant Williams (ACL) suffered a tear and will be out for the season. Larry Nance Jr (hand) will be out indefinitely after surgery. Jared McCain (torn meniscus) will be out for the season. Brandon Miller (wrist) will be out for the season. Donte DiVincenzo (toe) will be out indefinitely. Jalen Johnson (shoulder) will be out for the season. Dejounte Murray (achilles) will be out for the season. Anthony Davis (groin) will be out for a month. Daniel Gafford (knee) will be out 6 weeks. We wish all these guys speedy and successful recoveries.

• Trade Updates: The Miami Heat traded Thomas Bryant to Indiana for a 2nd round pick. The Brooklyn Nets traded Dennis Schroder for DeAnthony Melton. The Lakers traded D’Angelo Russell to the Nets for Dorian Finney Smith. Phoenix traded Josh Okogie for Nick Richards. Dallas traded Luka Doncic and Maxi Kleber for Anthony Davis and Max Christie. The Kings traded De’Aaron Fox to the Spurs and received Zach Lavine from Chicago in a 3 team trade. The Clippers traded PJ Tucker and Mo Bamba to Utah for Drew Eubanks. The Kings traded Cidy Cissoko to the Wizards for Jonas Valanciunas. New Orleans traded Daniel Theis to OKC. Milwaukee traded Khris Middleton and AJ Johnson to the Wizards for Kyle Kuzma and Patrick Baldwin Jr. The Heat traded Jimmy Butler to Golden State for Kyle Anderson, Dennis Schroder, a 1st round pick, and Andrew Wiggins. Toronto traded Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, and a 1st round pick for Brandon Ingram. Atlanta traded DeAndre Hunter to Cleveland for Caris Levert and Georges Niang. The Clippers traded Kevin Porter Jr for Milwaukee’s MarJon Beauchamp. The Clippers also traded Terrance Mann and Bones Hyland for Atlanta’s Bogdan Bogdanovic.

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NBA MVP Ladder

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 32.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6 assists

His case: Gilgeous-Alexander is fresh off a pair of 50-point games and is the only player to post multiple 50-point games this season. For such a high-volume shooter, his efficiency is impressive (52.8%).

Remember: he’s among the steals leaders and helps inspire OKC’s opportunistic defense. Plus, he has worked much of the season without the aid of a talented big man Chet Holmgren.

2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 29.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 10.1 assists

His case: He’s averaging a triple-double and remains among the league leaders in those three statistical categories. As the season progresses, his staying power will prove a strong argument for him to rise to No. 1. It’s close between him and Gilgeous-Alexander.

Strange thing, though: Denver has lost three straight despite “The Joker’s” dominance. He’ll need his team to perform better to strengthen his case.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Season stats: 31.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists

His case: “The Greek Freak” and his high-level consistency rolls on. His three most recent games captured the essence of his season: 39 points and 12 rebounds against the Blazers, 35-18 against the Jazz and 36-13 against the Clippers.

The Bucks lost two of those games, although that certainly wasn’t Antetokounmpo’s fault. What Milwaukee does, or doesn’t do, at the trade deadline could determine its East seeding.

4. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

Last week’s ranking: No. 5
Season stats: 24.6 points, 13.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists

His case: Towns has been steady all season and wears the unofficial title as Best Center In The East, partly because of his stellar play and, to be fair, partly because former Kia MVP Joel Embiid has struggled with injuries and absences.

5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Season stats: 26.7 points, 9 rebounds, 5.4 assists

His case: Tatum remains one of the premier players in the league, all while doing so for an elite team. That said, his play of late has also reflected that of the Celtics as both appear to have hit a wall.

Tatum is averaging 24 points, eight rebounds and 5.4 assists in January, a bit of a decline from previous months. He’ll need to elevate his play to remain in the top five.

The Next 5:

6. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
8. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
9. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
10. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets

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Fantasy Leaders

Naz Reid makes his Top 3 debut

Overtime Thoughts