NBA

Nikola Topić Makes Thunder NBA Debut After Cancer Treatment

Nikola Topić
February 2026

Topić logged his first NBA minutes and first points after missing extensive time due to a pre-draft knee injury and subsequent testicular cancer treatment. He was eased in off the bench, received a big ovation, scored on a mid-range jumper, and followed a recent G League appearance where he played limited minutes as he ramps back up.

Dillon Brooks Suspended After 16th Technical Foul

Dillon Brooks
February 2026

Brooks received an automatic one-game suspension without pay after his 16th technical foul of the season, per NBA rules. The 16th technical was assessed during Phoenix’s loss to Oklahoma City. League policy triggers a one-game ban at 16, then one additional game for every two techs thereafter. He will miss the road game at San Antonio on Feb. 19.

Cooper Flagg Out With Midfoot Sprain, Withdraws From Rising Stars

Cooper Flagg
February 2026

Flagg has a left midfoot sprain confirmed by MRI and will not participate in the Rising Stars game or the Mavericks’ last game before the All-Star break. The injury occurred in a 120-111 loss at Phoenix where he scored 27. Dallas said updates will follow. He has been carrying Dallas’s offense during an eight-game losing streak, and the team resumes after the break on Friday, Feb. 20 at Minnesota.

NBA Hands Multi-Game Suspensions After Pistons–Hornets Fight

Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets
February 2026

Stewart was suspended seven games for leaving the bench area, aggressively entering the altercation, and fighting. Bridges and Diabaté received four games each, and Duren received two games. The NBA said the sequence started when Diabaté committed a defensive foul on Duren with 7:09 left in the third quarter of Detroit’s 110-104 win. All four were ejected after technical fouls, with Stewart’s longer ban partly tied to prior unsportsmanlike history.

Risacher Replaces Ajay Mitchell in 2026 Rising Stars

Zaccharie Risacher
Feburary 2026

Risacher replaces Mitchell on Team T-Mac for the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars after Mitchell was ruled out with an abdominal strain. The league says Risacher is a second-year participant and is averaging 10.7 points and 3.5 rebounds this season. Team T-Mac is coached by McGrady, with other honorary coaches leading the remaining squads in the event at Intuit Dome.

Bulls Guard Collin Sexton Fined $35K for On-Court Gesture

Collin Sexton
Feburary 2026

Sexton was fined $35,000 for an inappropriate gesture during Chicago’s 123-115 loss to Brooklyn. The league states the gesture occurred with 1:31 left in the third quarter, with the fine announced by the NBA’s basketball operations leadership.

Curry to Miss All-Star Game With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Stephen Curry
February 2026

Curry will sit out the All-Star Game in Los Angeles due to ongoing right knee trouble described as patellofemoral pain syndrome. Kerr says the plan is rest now and aim to return after the break if day-to-day progress holds. Curry left a game on Jan. 30 with the sore knee and later had an MRI, then missed multiple games. The update also notes Golden State is without Butler after ACL surgery, compounding availability issues heading into the post-break schedule.

Nikola Topić Returns in G League After Knee Rehab and Cancer Treatment

Nikola Topić
February 2026

Thunder prospect Topić made his G League debut, a major step after a serious knee ligament injury and subsequent testicular cancer diagnosis that required chemotherapy. He has barely played over the last two years. He logged 16 minutes with seven points and seven assists in an overtime win. Daigneault highlighted the mental and physical resilience required to return after rehab, then three rounds of chemo, and praised the milestone as a significant achievement.

Jimmy Butler Undergoes ACL Surgery After Season-Ending Injury

Jimmy Butler III
February 2026

Butler had right knee surgery to repair a torn ACL suffered in January, ending his season. The team says he will start rehab immediately, with progress updates planned for early next season as he works through recovery milestones. The injury occurred after an awkward landing following contact, leaving him unable to put weight on the leg. Golden State has struggled without him, and his absence changes both scoring load and late-game options while the roster recalibrates around available creators.

Coby White Says Trade to Hornets Felt Inevitable

Coby White
February 2026

White says he expected to be moved after Chicago traded other veterans and shifted direction. He is now with Charlotte but has not debuted yet due to a calf injury, and there is no timetable for his return. He describes the deal as a homecoming to North Carolina and says the Hornets have welcomed him into a rising, young group. He expects to fit behind LaMelo Ball initially, while providing depth and flexibility given the team’s backcourt demands.