John Hollinger
@johnhollinger.bsky.social
The Athletic NBA columnist
PER creator - Former Grizzlies VP Basketball Ops - Former ESPN
Wahoowa - Commanders - Brewers - Timbers - huh?
Atlanta/a hotel
PER creator - Former Grizzlies VP Basketball Ops - Former ESPN
Wahoowa - Commanders - Brewers - Timbers - huh?
Atlanta/a hotel
Halftime: Virginia 59, Georgia Tech 27. Drive safe, everyone.
February 19, 2026 at 2:53 AM
Halftime: Virginia 59, Georgia Tech 27. Drive safe, everyone.
Reposted by John Hollinger
if you are still watching Georgia Tech basketball, you may be entitled to compensation
February 19, 2026 at 2:42 AM
if you are still watching Georgia Tech basketball, you may be entitled to compensation
Can't remember ever being at a college game with a 35-point margin in the first half.
Can't remember ever being at a college game with a 33-point margin in the first half.
Can't remember ever being at a college game with a 32-point margin in the first half.
February 19, 2026 at 2:42 AM
Can't remember ever being at a college game with a 35-point margin in the first half.
Can't remember ever being at a college game with a 33-point margin in the first half.
Can't remember ever being at a college game with a 32-point margin in the first half.
February 19, 2026 at 2:38 AM
Can't remember ever being at a college game with a 33-point margin in the first half.
Can't remember ever being at a college game with a 32-point margin in the first half.
February 19, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Can't remember ever being at a college game with a 32-point margin in the first half.
Reposted by John Hollinger
when does Georgia Tech return from the all star break
February 19, 2026 at 2:32 AM
when does Georgia Tech return from the all star break
Pick-6 steal by Thijs de Ridder and it's 36-7 Virginia. *In basketball*. Tech takes it's third timeout of the half.
We've only played 7:56 and Virginia is about to go up by 20 on this next free throw.
I was mildly optimistic about Georgia Tech after they won at NC St, but they've lost 7 in a row and might not even qualify for the ACC Tournament. Yikes.
I was mildly optimistic about Georgia Tech after they won at NC St, but they've lost 7 in a row and might not even qualify for the ACC Tournament. Yikes.
February 19, 2026 at 2:31 AM
Pick-6 steal by Thijs de Ridder and it's 36-7 Virginia. *In basketball*. Tech takes it's third timeout of the half.
We've only played 7:56 and Virginia is about to go up by 20 on this next free throw.
I was mildly optimistic about Georgia Tech after they won at NC St, but they've lost 7 in a row and might not even qualify for the ACC Tournament. Yikes.
I was mildly optimistic about Georgia Tech after they won at NC St, but they've lost 7 in a row and might not even qualify for the ACC Tournament. Yikes.
February 19, 2026 at 2:24 AM
We've only played 7:56 and Virginia is about to go up by 20 on this next free throw.
I was mildly optimistic about Georgia Tech after they won at NC St, but they've lost 7 in a row and might not even qualify for the ACC Tournament. Yikes.
I was mildly optimistic about Georgia Tech after they won at NC St, but they've lost 7 in a row and might not even qualify for the ACC Tournament. Yikes.
Greetings from Atlanta! Here to objectively report on tonight's game between the University of Virginia and their less-educated opponents from Georgia Tech.
February 19, 2026 at 1:10 AM
Greetings from Atlanta! Here to objectively report on tonight's game between the University of Virginia and their less-educated opponents from Georgia Tech.
Bobby Brownilla
A truly incredible sports fact (one which I didn't know until I got it wrong recently) is that Deshaun Watson's contract with the Browns is STILL not over. There's a whole 'nother year on that thing
February 18, 2026 at 10:56 PM
Bobby Brownilla
Wrote about this guy yesterday. Welp, now his All-American teammate is out for the season, so he's gonna have to do a lot more self-created cooking. Scouts will be watching with interest.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
Why Texas Tech point guard Christian Anderson should be a first-round NBA pick
His size and athleticism won't wow scouts, but Anderson makes the right play time after time.
www.nytimes.com
February 18, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Wrote about this guy yesterday. Welp, now his All-American teammate is out for the season, so he's gonna have to do a lot more self-created cooking. Scouts will be watching with interest.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
Sounds increasingly likely that Trae Young will not play in his reunion games in Atlanta on Feb. 24 and Feb. 26.
Tough break for a guy who played 31 minutes in a back-to-back on Dec. 27. I guess he just hasn't recovered yet.
Tough break for a guy who played 31 minutes in a back-to-back on Dec. 27. I guess he just hasn't recovered yet.
Trae Young did not practice today. "He's still not cleared for contact yet," Wizards coach Brian Keefe said when asked about Young.
February 18, 2026 at 8:49 PM
Sounds increasingly likely that Trae Young will not play in his reunion games in Atlanta on Feb. 24 and Feb. 26.
Tough break for a guy who played 31 minutes in a back-to-back on Dec. 27. I guess he just hasn't recovered yet.
Tough break for a guy who played 31 minutes in a back-to-back on Dec. 27. I guess he just hasn't recovered yet.
They're moving to fast for me to tell, but I presume these Sweden jerseys just say "UTAH" across the front in very plain lettering.
February 18, 2026 at 8:40 PM
They're moving to fast for me to tell, but I presume these Sweden jerseys just say "UTAH" across the front in very plain lettering.
Reposted by John Hollinger
Of note for Bulls fans, whose team will get a second first-round pick if Portland makes the playoffs:
“The Blazers have a league-high 10 games against the tank teams, including a league-high eight versus the Egregious Six. If they win all 10 and split the other 16, they’ll end up with 45 wins.”
“The Blazers have a league-high 10 games against the tank teams, including a league-high eight versus the Egregious Six. If they win all 10 and split the other 16, they’ll end up with 45 wins.”
New for @theathletic.com : The week that was
* How tanking will affect playoff races, especially in East
* 2-way conversions!
* Scouting Swiss prospect Klark-Luca Riethauser
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
* How tanking will affect playoff races, especially in East
* 2-way conversions!
* Scouting Swiss prospect Klark-Luca Riethauser
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
How tanking impacts NBA playoffs; plus the Swiss prospect who loves ‘White Chocolate’
All schedules are not created equal, and a second-half slate padded with tankers can grease a team’s run into a high playoff seed.
www.nytimes.com
February 18, 2026 at 3:17 AM
Of note for Bulls fans, whose team will get a second first-round pick if Portland makes the playoffs:
“The Blazers have a league-high 10 games against the tank teams, including a league-high eight versus the Egregious Six. If they win all 10 and split the other 16, they’ll end up with 45 wins.”
“The Blazers have a league-high 10 games against the tank teams, including a league-high eight versus the Egregious Six. If they win all 10 and split the other 16, they’ll end up with 45 wins.”
No NBA tonight so I'm watching The Paul Reed Game from last week. Just got to the spinning hook shot over Poeltl. This is glorious.
February 18, 2026 at 2:57 AM
No NBA tonight so I'm watching The Paul Reed Game from last week. Just got to the spinning hook shot over Poeltl. This is glorious.
Reposted by John Hollinger
I think the summer version of biathlon is a 1/2 marathon to a pond where you fish for 30 minutes.
February 17, 2026 at 11:49 PM
I think the summer version of biathlon is a 1/2 marathon to a pond where you fish for 30 minutes.
Biathlon relay but the baton is a rifle who's with me?
February 17, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Biathlon relay but the baton is a rifle who's with me?
Wolves already played at Chicago and at Charlotte, so no "thank you" video montage for Mike until next season.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have officially re-signed Mike Conley.
The Golden State Warriors have officially signed Nate Williams Jr.
The Golden State Warriors have officially signed Nate Williams Jr.
As we reset coming out of the All-Star break, here are the reported agreements we are waiting on to go official:
🏀Mike Conley - MIN
🏀Haywood Highsmith - PHX
🏀Tyrese Martin - PHI - Two-Way
🏀Cameron Payne - PHI
🏀Jabari Walker - PHI
🏀Nate Williams Jr. - GSW - Two-Way
🏀Mike Conley - MIN
🏀Haywood Highsmith - PHX
🏀Tyrese Martin - PHI - Two-Way
🏀Cameron Payne - PHI
🏀Jabari Walker - PHI
🏀Nate Williams Jr. - GSW - Two-Way
February 17, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Wolves already played at Chicago and at Charlotte, so no "thank you" video montage for Mike until next season.
One other college BB note -- this absolutely sucks. Thought Saunders would be a solid second-rounder; between the ACL and his age, now he's probably looking at an Exhibit 10 and fighting his way in through the G League.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
BYU loses Richie Saunders for season after torn ACL: What this means for the Cougars
Richie Saunders' injury is a major blow to BYU's season, as the Cougars have struggled of late.
www.nytimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:57 PM
One other college BB note -- this absolutely sucks. Thought Saunders would be a solid second-rounder; between the ACL and his age, now he's probably looking at an Exhibit 10 and fighting his way in through the G League.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
Also new for @theathletic.com today - wrote some words on Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson and his NBA fit
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
Why Texas Tech point guard Christian Anderson should be a first-round NBA pick
www.nytimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Also new for @theathletic.com today - wrote some words on Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson and his NBA fit
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
New for @theathletic.com : The week that was
* How tanking will affect playoff races, especially in East
* 2-way conversions!
* Scouting Swiss prospect Klark-Luca Riethauser
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
* How tanking will affect playoff races, especially in East
* 2-way conversions!
* Scouting Swiss prospect Klark-Luca Riethauser
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
How tanking impacts NBA playoffs; plus the Swiss prospect who loves ‘White Chocolate’
All schedules are not created equal, and a second-half slate padded with tankers can grease a team’s run into a high playoff seed.
www.nytimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 4:17 PM
New for @theathletic.com : The week that was
* How tanking will affect playoff races, especially in East
* 2-way conversions!
* Scouting Swiss prospect Klark-Luca Riethauser
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
* How tanking will affect playoff races, especially in East
* 2-way conversions!
* Scouting Swiss prospect Klark-Luca Riethauser
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
Noted in my buyout market piece that Tyrese Martin remained 2-way eligible. Fringe roster guy, sure, but easily best player available as far as 2-ways go. www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
NBA buyout market tiers: Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul and more names to watch
Now that the trade deadline has passed, here are the players most likely to switch rosters before the playoffs.
www.nytimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Noted in my buyout market piece that Tyrese Martin remained 2-way eligible. Fringe roster guy, sure, but easily best player available as far as 2-ways go. www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Wizards signing former ACC Player of the Year Alondes Williams to a 10-day contract. Sources tell me @tomhaberstroh immediately canceled all his plans and is renting an airbnb in D.C. for the next ten days.
February 16, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Wizards signing former ACC Player of the Year Alondes Williams to a 10-day contract. Sources tell me @tomhaberstroh immediately canceled all his plans and is renting an airbnb in D.C. for the next ten days.
"cheered on by his two brothers, Donald Royal Murray-Lawrence and Geert Hammink Murray-Lawrence ..."
apnews.com/article/cana...
Shaq of Bobsled: Canadian Olympian named after Shaq and Penny has a most interesting story
Shaq of Bobsled: Canadian Olympian named after Shaq and Penny has a most interesting story
The Shaq of Bobsled: Canadian Olympian named after Shaq and Penny has a most interesting story
Canadian bobsledder Shaquille Anfernee Murray-Lawrence was named after two basketball stars. His father had hoped he'd end up following in their footsteps.
apnews.com
February 16, 2026 at 8:28 PM
"cheered on by his two brothers, Donald Royal Murray-Lawrence and Geert Hammink Murray-Lawrence ..."
Hawks will face a new 76er on Thursday. This still leaves one roster spot open for Sixers to eventually promote Jabari Walker, Jr. from his 2-way, but looks like they need to wait a few days to do that and stay under tax.
Source confirms that the Sixers are signing Cam Payne to a contract for the rest of the season.
February 16, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Hawks will face a new 76er on Thursday. This still leaves one roster spot open for Sixers to eventually promote Jabari Walker, Jr. from his 2-way, but looks like they need to wait a few days to do that and stay under tax.