February 2026

There were 1,487 posts published in February 2026 (this is page 88 of 149).

NBA All-Star Weekend 2026: How to watch, full events schedule, where to stream free and more

It’s time for NBA All-Star Weekend! The midseason exhibition tournament will be held this Sunday, Feb. 15, at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. But before the big All-Star Championship Game, there’s a star-studded celebrity game, the slam dunk contest and more fun NBA events for fans to enjoy. This year’s All-Star game also features a new format, with three teams competing (USA Stars, USA Stripes, and World) in a round-robin style. Yahoo Sports broke down the new NBA All-Star competition format for you.

Most of the action will air across NBC and Peacock. Here’s the full NBA All-Star Weekend schedule and everything you need to know to watch the game.

Dates: Feb. 13-15

Location: Intuit Dome

TV channel: NBC, ESPN*

Streaming: Peacock

The 2026 NBA All-Star Championship Game will be held this Sunday, Feb. 15. Leading up to the All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Weekend has a packed slate of events, including the 3-point contest, and slam dunk contest. NBA All-Star Weekend events run from Friday, Feb. 13 – Sunday, Feb. 15.

Friday, Feb. 13

  • Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game: 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)

  • Rising Stars Game 1 – Team Melo vs. Team Austin: 9 p.m. ET (Peacock)

  • Rising Stars Game 2 – Team Vince vs. Team T-Mac: 9:55 p.m. ET (Peacock)

  • Castrol Rising Stars Championship: 10:35 p.m. ET (Peacock)

  • NBA HBCU Classic (Hampton vs. North Carolina A&T): 11 p.m. ET (Peacock)

Saturday, Feb. 14

  • NBA All-Star Media Day presented by AT&T: 1:30 p.m. ET (NBA App, NBA TV)

  • Commissioner Adam Silver News Conference: 4 p.m. ET (NBA App, NBA TV)

  • NBA All-Star Saturday Night: 5 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)

  • State Farm 3-Point Contest: 5 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)

  • Kia Shooting Stars: 5 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)

  • AT&T Slam Dunk Contest: 5 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)

Sunday, Feb. 15

  • NBA G League Next Up Game: 2:30 p.m. ET (NBA App)

  • All-Star Game 1 – Stars vs. World: 5 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)

  • All-Star Game 2 – Stripes vs. Game 1 Winner: 5:55 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)

  • All-Star Game 3 – Stripes vs. Game 1 Loser: 6:25 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)

  • All-Star Championship: 7:10 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)

The Majority of NBA All-Star Weekend events will air on NBC and stream live on Peacock. The exceptions to that rule are the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, which will air on ESPN, and the media events, which will air on NBA TV and stream in the NBA App.

USA Stars

  • Head coach: J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit Pistons)

  • Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

  • Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

  • Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

  • Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons

  • Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

  • Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder

  • Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

  • Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

USA Stripes

  • Head coach: Mitch Johnson (San Antonio Spurs)

  • Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

  • Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

  • Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors*

  • Brandon Ingram, Toronto Raptors

  • Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets

  • LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

  • Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

  • Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

  • Norman Powell, Miami Heat

World

  • Head coach: Darko Rajaković

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

  • Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers

  • Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder*

  • Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

  • Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

  • Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers

  • Alperen Şengün, Houston Rockets

  • Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

  • Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

“*” denotes unable to play because of injury

  • Keshad Johnson, Miami Heat

  • Jase Richardson, Orlando Magic

  • Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs

  • Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers

  • Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

  • Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

  • Kon Kneuppel, Charlotte Hornets

  • Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

  • Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

  • Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

  • Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks

  • Norman Powell, Miami Heat

NBA suspends Dillon Brooks 1 game after 16th technical foul

Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks has been suspended one game by the NBA following his 16th technical foul of the season, which happened in the second quarter of Wednesday night’s loss to the Thunder. After the game, Brooks doubled down with comments on the officiating.

“Yeah. He said I’m playing victim all the time,” Brooks said. “And when I don’t play victim, I’m the bad guy. Choose one. … If you’re going to be consistently bad, then be consistently bad throughout the whole game. Don’t try to fix it during the game. Don’t trying to be doing any of that or try to even out foul calls or whatever it may be. If you’re going to be bad, be bad the whole game.”

Brooks has built a reputation and thrives on playing the villain, dating back to his time with the Memphis Grizzlies. His 16th technical comes with an automatic one-game suspension plus a $5,000 fine based on league rules regarding technical fouls. 

Despite the excessive number of technical fouls Brooks has drawn thus far, statistically, he’s having the best year of his NBA career, especially in the scoring category. Brooks is averaging a career-best 21.2 points in 49 games. The Suns finished last season 10 games under .500 (36-46). More than halfway through this year, Phoenix is nine games over .500 (32-23) and currently one game back of the Los Angeles Lakers for the sixth seed in the Western Conference. 

Much of the team’s turnaround can be attributed to the season Brooks is having. Brooks takes on the role of the player who gets in his opponents’ heads on whatever team he’s played for and does it well. This has almost become routine for Brooks — it wasn’t his first suspension, and likely won’t be his last.

Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox will fill in for injured Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2026 NBA All-Star Game

The Milwaukee Bucks announced Thursday that Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t play in this year’s NBA All-Star Game due to the right calf strain that he suffered Jan. 23 and is still recovering from. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has picked San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox to replace Antetokounmpo in the midseason exhibition, the league then revealed. 

While Antetokounmpo, a 10-time All-Star, was originally selected to play for Team World, Fox, now a two-time All-Star, will join one of the two United States teams for the three-team, USA vs. World round-robin tournament.

Fox will be part of USA Stripes’ roster. A spot was freed up there once the NBA moved Miami Heat wing Norman Powell — who has ties to Jamaica — to Team World. Taking the place of Antetokounmpo, Powell will play alongside a bunch of the game’s top international stars.

As for Antetokounmpo, the two-time NBA MVP has been dealing with calf issues throughout a drama-filled 2025-26 campaign, which has seen the Bucks fall down the Eastern Conference standings and the “Greek Freak” stay put in Milwaukee despite more trade rumors.

Although Milwaukee has made the playoffs nine seasons in a row, it’s in danger of missing out on the postseason this time around. The Bucks are just 22-30 and are 12th in the East.

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Antetokounmpo first sustained a right calf strain on Dec. 3. That injury cost him eight games. But his latest setback came with a four-to-six week projected recovery.

When he’s been on the court, though, he’s delivered his usual entertainment. The 31-year-old is averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game while shooting a career-high 64.5% from the field, including a personal-best 39.5% from 3.

Despite his adversity-worn season, Antetokounmpo was one of the top vote-getters for this year’s All-Star Game. He’ll still help coach the All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday.

His replacement on Sunday, Fox, will share the stage with Spurs teammate Victor Wembanyama, albeit on a different team.

Fox’s USA Stripes squad, though, is notably led by Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson.

The No. 5 overall pick in the 2017 draft, Fox has averaged 19.4 points, 6.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game during his ninth season in the league, and his second in San Antonio.

MLB owners crack down on pitch stealing by enforcing rule aimed at first- and third-base coaches

MLB owners want to make it harder for teams to engage in pitch-stealing tactics on the field. Team owners reportedly voted Thursday to enforce a rule that prevents first- and third-base coaches from leaving their coaches’ boxes on the field until after a pitcher throws a pitch, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. 

MLB owners wanted to crack down on the tactic due to concern about first- and third-base coaches moving up and down the foul lines to try to get betters view of the pitcher, per ESPN. If those coaches discovered what pitch was coming, they would reportedly relay that information directly to the batter or to a runner on second base, who could signal to the hitter what pitch was coming. 

The league attempted to curb the tactic during the 2025 World Series, when it told both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays to make sure their first- and third-base coaches stayed in their designated coaches’ boxes on the field. 

With the creation of PitchCom, the art of stealing catcher signs is essentially extinct around the league. Because MLB teams will try to exploit any advantage possible, teams and coaches have turned to extensive film study ahead of games, trying to find tells from the pitcher or catcher to determine what pitch is coming. Unlike the pitch-stealing scandal the Houston Astros engaged in during the 2017 MLB season, this version of pitch stealing is legal since it doesn’t rely on the in-game use of technology. 

In 2017, the Astros were accused of using cameras and video monitors to steal signs from their opponents. After MLB conducted an investigation into those claims, commissioner Rob Manfred announced one-year suspensions for then-Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and then-manager A.J. Hinch. Shortly after those suspensions were announced, the Astros fired both men. 

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora was later suspended for a year for his involvement in the scandal. Cora coached with the Astros before being hired by the Red Sox in 2018. The Red Sox fired Cora ahead of the 2020 season but brought him back for the 2021 MLB season.

Players and coaches are allowed to steal signs from pitchers or catchers during games without the use of technology, but MLB owners reportedly believed first- and third-base coaches were getting too brazen with their tactics, per ESPN.

The MLB rulebook states that first- and third-base coaches must remain in the coaches’ boxes from the time the pitcher steps on the pitching rubber to the time the ball is caught by the catcher or put in play. Coaches, however, are allowed to leave the coaches’ box for safety reasons. 

Under the new rule enforcement, first- and third-base coaches will receive a warning for their first violation. After that, coaches could be ejected from games for leaving the coaches’ box too early, per ESPN.

Dodgers sign Max Muncy to contract extension, Enrique Hernández to 1-year deal

Max Muncy’s career with the Los Angeles Dodgers will continue for at least two more seasons. 

The veteran infielder agreed to a one-year, $7 million extension for 2027, the team announced Thursday. The deal includes a $10 million club option for 2028 versus a $3 million buyout. 

Muncy, 35, was signed through the 2026 campaign, with the Dodgers picking up his $10 million club option. He was set to become a free agent after the season. 

Last year, Muncy batted .243/.376/.470 with 19 home runs and 67 RBI. He was limited to 100 games (97 at third base) during the regular season due to a knee bone bruise and oblique injuries. In the postseason, he hit .214/.353/.411 with 11 walks, 3 homers and 3 RBI.

His biggest postseason home run was surely the one he hit in Game 7 of the World Series off Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Troy Yesavage that cut the Dodgers’ deficit to 4-3 in the eighth inning and began a comeback that eventually led to a 5-4 victory in 11 innings and the franchise’s second consecutive World Series championship.

This season will be Muncy’s ninth with the Dodgers after he signed with them as a free agent prior to the 2018 season. He was a fifth-round draft selection by the Athletics in 2012 out of Baylor. During his career with the Dodgers, Muncy has slashed .232/.358/.485 with 135 doubles, 209 home runs, 575 walks and 587 RBI.

During DodgerFest on Jan. 31, Muncy spoke about becoming the Dodgers’ longest-tenured player with the retirement of Clayton Kershaw. 

“For me, just my personal journey, it’s something I never would have dreamed of,” Muncy said, via The Athletic. “I was basically out of baseball for a little bit. And now here I am, the most-tenured player on the team. I never would have imagined that in my life. That’s for sure. It’s something I’m very blessed to have had. I don’t take it for granted. I try to enjoy every second I get here.”

Muncy’s home run total currently ranks seventh among the Dodgers’ all-time leaders, behind Steve Garvey’s 211. If he stays healthy, Muncy should pass Ron Cey (228) to move into fifth on the list. Overtaking Roy Campanella (242) for fourth or perhaps even Eric Karros for third (270) might be possible as well.

The Dodgers also announced the re-signing of utilityman Enrique Hernández on Thursday. The 13-year MLB veteran agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract, which will keep him with the team for a fourth consecutive season (and 10th overall with the Dodgers). 

Hernández appeared in 92 games last season and was sidelined for seven weeks due to left elbow inflammation. He had surgery on the elbow in November, and recovery is expected to keep him out for Opening Day. 

In nine seasons with the Dodgers, Hernández has a .236/.305/.403 slash line with 124 doubles, 95 homers and 320 RBI. More importantly, he has played multiple positions, including third base, left field, center field and first base. He has even pitched.

Will players play hard in 2026 NBA All-Star Game? Kevin Durant quips, ‘ask the Europeans and the World team’

Kevin Durant is 37 years old, still one of the best shotmakers in the NBA and poised to take part in his 16th All-Star Game. The Houston Rockets standout forward has seen a handful of versions of the midseason exhibition. The latest will feature three teams in a round-robin tournament: Two will consist of players from the United States and a third will be comprised of players from the rest of the world. 

Along with LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard, Durant’s on “USA Stripes,” which he dubbed “the old-head mob” and “the OGs.”

Following a 105-102 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, who will host Sunday’s All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome, Durant was asked Wednesday if his veteran squad will play hard in the USA vs. World tournament.

“You should ask the Europeans and the World team if they’re going to compete,” Durant said, via Chron’s Michael Shapiro. “If you look at Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić now, let’s go back and look at what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition? So we haven’t questioned what they’ve been doing. But we going to question the old heads, and the Americans.”

Durant then said, with a laugh at the end, “But these two dudes out there, Luka and Jokić, they don’t care about the game at all.”

He continued: “These dudes be laying on the floor. They shoot from half court. But you’ve got to worry about the old heads playing hard? I can read between the lines, bro. … It’s just an overall topic that everybody’s been talking about.”

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, a member of Team World with Dončić and Jokić, told reporters on Tuesday that he plans on giving his all in this year’s All-Star Game, the 22-year-old’s second.

“I’ve seen the All-Star Game, and obviously it hasn’t been competitive,” Wembanyama said, per ESPN. “And I’ve always thought myself that if I was in there, I’m never stepping onto the court to lose or not caring. Just like at home, I’m never stepping into a board game not caring, thinking I’m going to lose. … I’m going to be out there, I might as well win.”

When asked about that statement Wednesday, Durant remained skeptical.

“We’ll see,” Durant said. 

“He said that last year, too. They said it was the worst All-Star Game that people watched. So we’re going to see. … Who knows what’s going to happen? This format might change the game, but who knows? We’ll see.”

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There were no positional requirements for this year’s All-Star lineups. That’s a first for the exhibition, now in its 75th year.

In terms of the game itself, there will still technically be four 12-minute quarters, although each will be its own game. Each of the three teams will play twice during round-robin action. The fourth “quarter” will pit the two teams with the best records to decide a champion.

Point differential will be the post-round-robin tiebreaker if all three teams have 1-1 records.

The NBA All-Star Game has been a criticism magnet for years. At the heart of that condemnation has been fans’ frustration with players’ effort, or lack thereof.

But with the Paris Olympics not that far in the rear-view mirror and the Milan Cortina Olympics ongoing, the NBA hopes to ride the international wave.

Perhaps Durant’s comments can stoke a flame that ignites more competitive play on Sunday.

2026 Fantasy Baseball Tiered Second Baseman Rankings: Jazz Chisholm Jr., Ketel Marte headline 2B class

With the fresh fantasy baseball season approaching, it’s time to get you some tiered rankings from my Shuffle Up series. Use these for salary cap drafts, straight drafts, keeper decisions or merely a view of how the position ebbs and flows. Tuesday, we opened with the catcher position. Today’s assignment is second base.

The numbers are unscientific in nature and meant to reflect where talent clusters and drops off. Assume a 5×5 scoring system, as usual.

Additional positions will follow regularly for the next two weeks. I have removed all catcher-eligible players from the first base shuffle, since those players will be used at catcher for 99% of fantasy teams.

  • $32 Jazz Chisholm Jr., Yankees

  • $30 Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks

  • $22 Maikel Garcia, Royals

  • $22 Brice Turang, Brewers

  • $20 Nico Hoerner, Cubs

  • $19 Jose Altuve, Astros

The re-signing of Cody Bellinger means the Yankees will have a lefty-heavy lineup again, and MLB managers tend to separate lefty swingers to avoid platoon disadvantages. Thus, Chisholm could be batting as low as sixth on Opening Day. But 30-30 commodities don’t fall from trees, and Chisholm still might have a career year percolating as he steps into his age-28 season. He’s worth second-round consideration and a snap-call pick in the third.

Turang will probably be one of my preseason targets, a versatile player who doesn’t have one jaw-dropping skill. Bill James told us moons ago that versatile players tend to be underrated and specialists tend to be overrated; these rules also correlate to fantasy baseball. The Brewers have turned into what the Rays once were, the smaller-market team that gets more value for its dollar. Turang is an eat-your-veggies type of pick.

Altuve’s 26 homers last year obscured some leakage elsewhere — he lost 30 points in his batting average and his steals dropped from 22 to 10. And his bat speed has been well under league average ever since Baseball Savant started tracking it. Altuve is a guess hitter at this point in his career, and he’s readying for his age-36 season. I’d rather be a year early than a year late with a player holding this career arc.

  • $16 Luke Keaschall, Twins

  • $15 Jordan Westburg, Orioles

  • $15 Xavier Edwards, Marlins

  • $14 Ozzie Albies, Braves

  • $13 Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox

  • $13 Brandon Lowe, Pirates

  • $12 Marcus Semien, Mets

  • $12 Brendan Donovan, Mariners

  • $12 Jorge Polanco, Mets

It was curious to see Polanco hit a career year at age 31, and in Seattle, no less. Most of his Baseball Savant sliders are supportive, decent plate discipline and good contact numbers. He might open the year as the cleanup man for the Mets. I’m interested.

Westburg has already proven he belongs in the majors; his 162-game averages include 88 runs, 24 homers and 79 RBI per season. It’s unrealistic to expect anyone to play every game and Westburg missed half of last year with injuries, but give him credit for being a plus offensive player the last two years and get excited about the speculative No. 2 slot in a good Baltimore batting order. Westburg is currently a 10th-round pick in Yahoo drafts, a ticket I’ll happily sign.

I can’t rank Albies any lower because he’s still bringing category juice, but he swings at too many pitches out of the strike zone and he’ll probably open the year in the bottom third of the Atlanta lineup. He’s a distant cry from the player who made All-Star teams and collected down-ballot MVP votes. Shorthand, he’s more name than game entering his age-29 season.

  • $11 Gleyber Torres, Tigers

  • $11 Bryson Stott, Phillies

  • $11 JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals

  • $10 Luis García Jr., Nationals

  • $10 Otto Lopez, Marlins

  • $10 Luis Arráez, Giants

  • $8 Matt McLain, Reds

  • $8 Colt Keith, Tigers

It’s encouraging that García had 16 homers and 14 steals in what could fairly be termed an off year — that’s probably his floor. He’s still just 26 and a year removed from a .282 average and .444 slugging percentage. It’s possible García will shift to first base this year, and he could fall into a platoon as well — at least it would be the heavier side of the platoon. There’s no reason to jump the line with García’s ADP. But he’s affordably priced for a player who’s already shown the ability to be a top-100 fantasy asset.

Wetherholt probably has a starting job in his back pocket now that the Cardinals have moved Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan. Wetherholt was the No. 7 pick in the 2024 draft and had a robust .306/.421/.510 line between two stops in the minors last year, with 17 homers and 23 steals in just 109 games. He’s one of the prime Rookie of the Year contenders.

  • $7 Jackson Holliday, Orioles

  • $7 José Caballero, Yankees

  • $7 Jake Cronenworth, Padres

  • $6 Tommy Edman, Dodgers

  • $6 Ernie Clement, Blue Jays

  • $4 Brett Baty, Mets

  • $4 Marcelo Mayer, Red Sox

Holliday tumbled down this list when the hamate bone injury came public. I am never going to be the injury optimist in my league. If a big discount doesn’t apply on draft day, count me out.

Mayer is going to do whatever the Red Sox ask, but perhaps his offensive growth would be cleaner if the team would let him settle in at one defensive position.

Baty has a capped upside as spring training opens, holding the heavy side of a DH platoon with Mark Vientos. His play to this point has mandated the caddy; his career slash against lefties is a punchless .200/.247/.300.

  • $3 Andrés Giménez, Blue Jays

  • $3 Jeff McNeil, Athletics

  • $3 Brooks Lee, Twins

  • $3 Lenyn Sosa, White Sox

  • $2 Chase Meidroth, White Sox

  • $2 Willi Castro, Rockies

  • $2 Caleb Durbin, Red Sox

  • $2 Ha-Seong Kim, Braves