The Milwaukee Bucks have begun to surge as well after their slow start along with the Indiana Pacers. Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been at the top while teams like the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets,

First kick is just over three weeks away, which means that teams around the league are starting to scramble to fill some holes (or in some cases, to create new holes that will subsequently need to be filled).

Last week the NBA announced the All-star starters for each conference. In the east, Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell were the two starters at guard, and Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Karl Anthony-Towns were the three frontcourt starters.

The Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler remains at the center of any and all trade discussions, and with the February 6 trade deadline fast approaching, his next destination is still uncertain.

Today, we’ll be focusing on the Eastern Conference reserves, which are voted on by coaches from around the league. Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Karl-Anthony Towns comprise the East’s starting lineup, leaving seven open spots off the bench.

In this edition of On Sports, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is making the rounds at the annual Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., a popular destination for NFL coaches to get a firsthand look at upcoming draft talent.

The countdown to the trade deadline heated up last last week when the Carolina Hurricanes swung a blockbuster deal to land both Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche and Taylor Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have taken the NBA by storm this season, transforming a promising young core into one of the league’s most exciting contenders.

The starters for the Eastern Conference were announced as guard Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks, guard Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, center Karl-Anthony Towns of the Knicks, forward Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, and forward Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics.

The Lipscomb Bisons will host conference opponent Eastern Kentucky. The teams meet Thursday for the first time this season.

Bradyn Volz won the 126-pound championship and upped his season record to 27-2 with a fall in 2:48 over Shenandoah’s Dillon Williams. A sophomore, it is the second straight year he has won an individual MEC title. He won the 113-pound class in 2024.

PHOENIX -- With their well-known interest in Jimmy Butler, the Phoenix Suns could reportedly pursue another Eastern Conference star ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline. NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported Friday that the Suns could develop interest in Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine: