TOP NBA NEWS

February 25, 2025

1. Jamal Crawford Launches 'Courtside Crawsover' Alt-Cast

For more than 25 years, Jamal Crawford has captivated basketball fans as both a player and broadcaster. No matter the stage, J-Crossover is always must-see TV.

The 3-time Sixth Man of the Year enjoys educating fans about the game and is eager to debut “Courtside Crawsover,” a new alternate game telecast hosted by Crawford and former MLB All-Star Dexter Fowler. The show will stream on NBA League Pass and the NBA app and will tip off Feb. 27 when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Minnesota Timberwolves (10:30 ET).

That matchup is the first of three scheduled for “Courtside Crawsover,” which will blend live game analysis with stories, celebrity guest appearances and fan interactions, as Crawford and Fowler spotlight the intersection between sports and pop culture.

“We are bringing something totally different. This is an alt-cast like no other,” Crawford said. “We are bringing something cool to you … focused on culture, sport, talking to your favorite celebrities and favorite entertainers.”

Fowler, a former World Series champion and 14-year MLB veteran now with MLB Network, added, “This is not your regular basketball alt-cast. We’re going to have some fun and a lot of laughs.”

Additional broadcasts are scheduled for March 21 and April 4, with matchups to be announced later.

2. Paul George Steps Away from Podcasting to Fuel 76ers' Title Quest

Paul George has announced a break from his Podcast P show to focus on helping the Philadelphia 76ers compete for a championship. “I plan to take a break from the pod just to focus on getting my body and mind right,” he said.

The 34-year-old, who joined the 76ers on a four-year, $211 million contract, has seen his production dip this season amid injuries and lower scoring averages. Following a blowout loss to the Chicago Bulls, he lamented, "We've shown no sign of a team that will compete."

3. Detroit Pistons Chase History with Eight-Game Win Streak

The Detroit Pistons are on a historic run, now on an eight-game winning streak after beating the Boston Celtics last night 117-97. This marks their longest streak since the championship-contending days of the early 2000s.

With the win over Boston, the Pistons continue to defy expectations, as they aim to extend their streak further while showcasing top efficiency on both ends of the court. Star guard Cade Cunningham is leading the charge as Detroit shifts firmly away from its rebuilding phase.

Although the franchise’s record includes a 13-game win streak during championship years, this current run signals a promising turnaround for the team.

4. Lakers vs Mavericks: Season’s Most-Watched NBA Game

On Tuesday night, the Mavericks traveled to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers in the first game between Luka Dončić and his former team, a storyline that captivated enough viewers – 2.5 million average viewers, to be exact – to be the most-watched NBA game this season (other than opening night). As one of the most hyped games of the year, TNT knew they had a big matchup on their hands, and clearly, fans felt the same way.

5. Suns Poised to Trade Kevin Durant in Bold Summer Move

The widespread expectation is that the Suns will indeed trade Durant over the summer. "They're gonna trade him and he knows that," ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on Wednesday.

Even without substantial reporting, common sense suggests that a move is warranted. The Suns are 27-31 and in line to hand the Houston Rockets a lottery pick in June. They have limited financial flexibility and have spent the majority of their draft capital on failed attempts to improve. The Suns badly need a reset of some sort. Trading the aging Durant to a team more capable of winning right now is the simplest way to do that.

By waiting for the offseason, Durant loses a chance to genuinely compete for the championship this season. He does, however, give his new team a bit more flexibility in addressing the cost associated with acquiring him. As the Lakers have learned since their explosive trade deadline, reshaping an entire roster in February is difficult, but it's often needed after acquiring a mega star. An offseason trade would give his new team more room to build around him.