The NBA is weird right now. If you've looked at a box score lately and thought the numbers looked a little "1990s," you aren't imagining things. Something shifted the second the calendar flipped to 2026, and it’s got players like Jaylen Brown losing their minds—and their money—over officiating.
We’re officially in the thick of the January grind. The honeymoon of the season opener is long gone, and the trade deadline is looming like a final exam nobody studied for. But the real basketball nba sports news isn't just about who's moving; it's about how the game itself is being played.
The Mystery of the Missing Free Throws
Honestly, the data is staggering. Since January 1, free throw attempts have plummeted by nearly 20%. We’re talking about a drop from 26.1 attempts per 100 possessions down to 21.7. That’s roughly eight points vanished into thin air every single night.
Jaylen Brown recently drove to the rack 23 times against the Spurs and finished with exactly zero free throws. Zero. He called it "bulls***" and took a $35,000 fine for his trouble. But he's not alone. Steve Kerr had to be restrained from a ref last week. The league hasn't sent out a memo—at least not a public one—but anyone with eyes can see the whistle has gone dry.
Sportsbooks are scrambling because the "Under" is hitting at a 64.7% clip this month. If you’re a fan of high-scoring shootouts, January has been a total buzzkill.
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Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Depth Nightmare
Switching gears to the West, Dallas fans are holding their breath. Cooper Flagg, the rookie savior who’s been putting up 19.1 points and looking every bit like the superstar we expected, went down against Denver on January 14.
He stepped on Peyton Watson’s foot. It’s the same left ankle he tweaked a few days prior.
The Mavericks are kind of a mess health-wise. Anthony Davis is out for another month with that hand injury. Dereck Lively II is gone for the season. Now, Flagg is questionable for the Utah game tonight. Without him, the Mavs are basically asking Luka Dončić to carry the entire state of Texas on his back. Luka is leading the league in scoring at 33.4 per game, but even he has limits.
Trade Deadline Smoke: Kuminga and Giannis
We are officially three weeks out from the February 5 trade deadline, and the vultures are circling Golden State. Jonathan Kuminga finally hit his "trade eligible" date on January 15 and immediately reiterated his demand to get out.
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The Warriors are in a tough spot. They’ve basically iced him out of the rotation for 13 games, which has killed his trade value. Sacramento wants him, but they aren't offering Malik Monk anymore. Why would they? Monk's value is up; Kuminga’s is in the basement.
Then there’s the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation in Milwaukee. The Bucks are sitting 11th in the East. 11th! Giannis says he won't ask for a trade, but he also threw in that "if they don't want me" qualifier. Every front office in the league is staring at their phones waiting for that house of cards to fall.
Who's Actually Winning?
The standings are upside down in some places. The Detroit Pistons are currently the number one seed in the Eastern Conference at 28-10. Let that sink in. Cade Cunningham is playing like an All-NBA lock, averaging nearly 10 assists a night.
Over in the West, it’s the Oklahoma City Thunder’s world. They’re 34-7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the MVP frontrunner, and it’s not particularly close right now. He’s the only guy who seems immune to the scoring dip because his mid-range game is so clinical.
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Tonight, the Thunder face the Rockets in what’s actually a massive game for Western Conference seeding. Kevin Durant is still doing KD things for Houston, and they haven't lost at home in seven games.
Real Talk: What This Means for You
If you’re following the league right now, you have to adjust your expectations. The "pace and space" era is hitting a physical wall. Teams are being allowed to bump more, and the "three-shot foul" is basically extinct.
Watch the officiating in the first six minutes of games tonight. If the refs are letting them play, the Under is your friend. Also, keep an eye on the injury reports for the Celtics and Heat tonight—Jayson Tatum is still out with that Achilles recovery, and Miami is missing Terry Rozier.
Next Steps for NBA Fans:
- Track the "Under": Watch if the free-throw rate continues to stay below 22 per 100 possessions; it's a trend that's redefining betting lines.
- Watch the Kuminga Sweepstakes: Look for the Lakers or Kings to make a desperation move before his value sinks further.
- Monitor the Mavs: If Flagg sits out more than three games, Dallas could slide out of the top six in a brutal Western Conference.