Twenty teams were in action last night as the NBA returned from the All-Star break—catch up on everything right here.

Today’s Lineup

🎉 Happy birthday to Charles Barkley, Stephon Marbury, James Johnson, Jarrett Culver, and Jared McCain! 🎉

Game Recaps

Pistons open second half with 126-111 win over Knicks at MSG

In a statement win kicking off the second half of the season, Cade Cunningham (42 PTS, 13 AST, 8 REB) gave New York a proper Detroit greeting at MSG.

Fresh off the All-Star break, Cunningham and the Pistons shot out to an impressive W at Madison Square Garden over the Knicks despite an efficient 33 from Jalen Brunson. Detroit took a lead midway through the first quarter and didn’t look back, holding the lead the entire rest of the way thanks to Cade and Duncan Robinson’s shooting off the bench (3-6 3PT).

The Knicks have been way better against the rest of the top of the Eastern Conference than they have against the Pistons—last night was their third loss against Detroit this season after the two squads’ electric playoff series last year. Whether the Knicks will be able to overcome their inconsistency and meet Detroit in the postseason is yet to be seen but will likely ride on the consistency of Karl-Anthony Towns (21 PTS) and the Knicks’ middle role players.

Spurs orchestrate 121-94 takedown of Suns; Devin Booker leaves in first quarter

Smooth sailing in San Antonio!

To kick off what will surely be an exciting race for the West’s top seed between OKC and San Antonio, the Spurs took over against Phoenix at home en route to a blowout win. Victor Wembanyama (17 PTS, 11 REB) was the focal point for a lot of the game, but don’t underrate the impact that Stephon Castle (20 PTS) has had and continues to have on this San Antonio team. He led a squad that shared the ball from beginning to end and totally dismantled Phoenix’s pressure throughout.

Without Devin Booker in the picture, who left the game early in the first quarter and was ruled out with hip soreness shortly after, the Spurs demonstrated their ability to dominate an opponent from top to bottom across the board, both with plenty of scoring throughout their roster (six players in double figures, eight with 1+ 3PM) and consistent defensive event creation. Jalen Green (26 PTS) did a fine job with what he could, but this was a game that showed us who the Spurs could be in April and May. This team looks polished.

Elsewhere around the NBA:

• Kevin Durant (35 PTS, 8 REB, 3 BLK) led the Rockets to a 105-101 win over Charlotte in a game where no one else from Houston was really able to get anything going. Jabari Smith Jr. (2-3 3PT) added 15, but it was mostly KD who lifted the team over the Hornets’ Kon Knueppel (15 PTS, 3-6 3PT) and Grant Williams (20 PTS, 9 REB).

• The Bulls went on a fourth-quarter run and almost completed a comeback against Toronto, but Brandon Ingram (31 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST) and Collin Murray-Boyles (11 PTS) wouldn’t have it. The Raptors beat Chicago 110-101 after a dagger from BI shut down Anfernee Simons (20 PTS) and the Bulls’ potential comeback.

• After a back-and-forth first half, Atlanta pulled away from the 76ers and stole the 117-107 win in Philadelphia. Jalen Johnson (32 PTS, 10 REB) led the charge for the Hawks, who also got 23 off the bench from CJ McCollum opposite Tyrese Maxey (28 PTS).

• James Harden (16 PTS, 9 AST) and Donovan Mitchell (17 PTS) lifted the Cavs to their sixth straight win last night, a 112-84 victory over Michael Porter Jr.’s Brooklyn Nets. MPJ had 14 to lead the team, but that’s not enough against this reloaded Cleveland starting five—especially not Dean Wade (11 PTS, 3-3 3PT).

NBA Post-ASG Tier List

The All-Star break has come and gone, and just like that, the 2025–26 regular season is in its final stretch. Most teams have 25-30 games left, and with rosters largely set (barring something unexpected on the buyout market), the postseason picture is starting to clear up.

Let’s reset, coming out of the break, and put all 30 teams into a tier list. What should you expect from each squad?

S (championship contenders): Thunder, Spurs, Pistons

The reigning champions obviously slot in here despite a recent injury to SGA. And yes, there’s a marked difference in championship experience between OKC and the rest, but these are the squads in either conference that have shown they can beat anyone on any night, period. Victor Wembanyama continues to be an unreal presence on the court, and Cade Cunningham is a sleeper MVP pick (and might become the frontrunner if both Jokic and Shai can’t hit the 65-game mark).

A (conference finals-caliber): Nuggets, Celtics, Timberwolves, Knicks

Even if the Nuggets are 6.5 games back of the Thunder and Boston is without Jayson Tatum, both former Finals MVPs Nikola Jokic and Jaylen Brown have shown they can get it done in the postseason. New York has been good against the top of the East (besides Detroit) and remains a contender, but has been inconsistent overall. And Anthony Edwards and the Wolves have made two straight WCFs, and their reshaped bench looks primed to help him get #3.

B (solid playoff teams): Cavaliers, Rockets, Suns, Lakers, Raptors, 76ers, Heat

The Lakers, Cavaliers, and Rockets have the star power + help to be in comfortable situations right now, and they could be primed to make a run from the middle of the pack (especially Cleveland with James Harden in town). Phoenix and Toronto have a pair of star duos (Devin Booker + Dillon Brooks and Brandon Ingram + Scottie Barnes) that could become dangerous come playoff time, while squads like Miami and Philly will need to prove that they can overcome the obstacles come April.

C (stuck in the middle): Magic, Warriors, Hornets, Clippers, Trail Blazers, Hawks, Bucks

Teams in this tier are still competitive enough to stay in the picture, but not stable enough to inspire real postseason confidence. Some, like Golden State, Milwaukee, or even Charlotte, might have the pedigree to make noise if things break perfectly, while others are still searching for consistency. The goal down the stretch here is simply stay relevant and see what sticks, because trying to tank now might be too little, too late.

D (looking at the future): Bulls, Mavericks, Pelicans, Grizzlies, Jazz, Pacers, Nets, Wizards, Kings

Fans of these teams, we’re hoping you have a great spring. Get outside. Touch some grass. And then get right back to your computer and keep switching between No Ceilings and Tankathon.com. The Draft is almost here!

That’s our tier list! Let’s finish the 2025-26 season strong. 💪

Three in the Key

Signing Off

Happy Friday, Enjoyers! The weather is warming up across the country, and as the season turns the corner, it’s a reminder to enjoy the games, the moments, and everything that comes with this part of the year. Peace! ✌️

Austin Zeglis